Our Miserable Lives: A Nation Sinking Under The Weight Of Our Own Poor Choices;

By Steve Biko Wafula / Published September 2, 2024 | 3:21 pm

As Kenyans, we find ourselves living in a country where the quality of our lives is rapidly declining. Our hospitals are empty, our schools are falling apart, and our roads are nothing more than death traps. The reason behind this tragic state of affairs? It’s us. We are the ones to blame. We are the ones who have voted in politicians who have no interest in our well-being. We have elected politicians who have robbed us blind, leaving us to die in misery and despair. Unless we change how we engage in politics and whom we vote for, our lives will continue to be the worst, and we will live and die in the same miserable conditions.

No Medicine in Hospitals

Take a look at our hospitals. They are supposed to be places of healing, and sanctuaries where the sick and injured can receive the care they need. But instead, they have become death traps. Why? Because we elected politicians who would rather steal the funds allocated for medicine and healthcare infrastructure than see to it that our people are treated. The billions that were meant to stock our hospitals with essential drugs and equipment have vanished into the pockets of the political elite, leaving our doctors and nurses powerless to help those in need.

No Hospital Equipment

It’s not just medicine that is missing. Our hospitals lack the most basic equipment needed to diagnose and treat patients. MRI machines, CT scanners, and even simple X-ray machines are absent from most of our public hospitals. Why? Because the money meant to purchase this equipment has been siphoned off through budgeted corruption by the cronies of the current regime. These thieving politicians have prioritized their bank accounts over the lives of Kenyans, and we have allowed them to do so.

No Funds for Medical Research

While our hospitals crumble, our leaders fly abroad to receive world-class treatment. They do this because they have failed to invest in medical research and development at home. The funds that could have been used to establish cutting-edge research facilities have instead been funneled into the construction of luxurious homes and the purchase of high-end cars for the political elite. We have become lab rats for American corporations because our leaders have sold us to the highest bidder. Our lives, our health, are worth nothing to them.

No School Infrastructure

Our schools are no better. The infrastructure is falling apart, and our children are forced to learn in overcrowded, dilapidated classrooms. The reason? The politicians we voted for have no interest in investing in education. They send their children to expensive international schools, funded by the taxes they have stolen from us. The money that should have been used to build new classrooms, repair old ones, and provide desks and chairs for our students has been pocketed by the same people we trusted with our votes.

No Books in Schools

Even the most basic educational materials, like textbooks, are missing from our schools. Teachers are forced to make do with outdated and tattered books or worse, no books at all. Why? Because the funds allocated for these materials have been stolen. Our leaders, the ones we elected, have seen fit to use the money meant for our children’s education to fund their lavish lifestyles. And we have let them.

No Teachers

Our classrooms are empty, not just of books and desks, but of teachers as well. The money meant to employ more teachers, to ensure that our children receive the quality education they deserve, has been diverted elsewhere. It has been used to pay for extravagant state functions, where the political elite feast on tea and mandazi at our expense. Meanwhile, our children are left without guidance, without knowledge, and a future.

No Labs for Research in Schools

In other countries, schools are equipped with laboratories where students can engage in scientific research and innovation. But here in Kenya, our schools lack even the most basic lab equipment. The money that should have been used to equip these labs has been budgeted to fund the office of the spouse of the Prime Cabinet Secretary. Our leaders have chosen to invest in their luxury rather than in the education of our youth.

No Talent Nurturing Systems

Our youth are brimming with talent, but we have no systems in place to tap, nurture, and grow these talents. In other countries, youth are supported in their endeavors, encouraged to pursue their dreams, and given the resources they need to succeed. But in Kenya, the money meant for these programs has been stolen by the political elite. Instead of supporting our youth, our leaders use these funds to bribe Kenyans to show up and clap for them as they parade around in expensive cars.

No Roads

Our roads are in a deplorable state. They are riddled with potholes, making travel dangerous and difficult. The money meant for road construction and maintenance has been siphoned off to fund the offices of the spouses of our Deputy President and other high-ranking officials. They have prioritized their comfort over the safety and well-being of the Kenyan people. And we have allowed them to do so.

No University Research Funding

Our universities, once bastions of knowledge and innovation, have been reduced to shadows of their former selves. The funding that should have been used to support research and development has been stolen by our leaders. Instead, these funds have been redirected to political campaigns, such as the one for Raila as he vies for the Chair of the African Union Commission. Our leaders have chosen political power over academic excellence, and we are paying the price.

No Support for Police

Our police force is struggling to keep up with the rising crime rates in the country. They lack the equipment, fuel, and resources needed to carry out their duties effectively. The money meant for these essential services has been stolen through budgeted corruption and used to build nonexistent staff quarters for the political class. Our streets are unsafe, our homes are vulnerable, and our police are powerless to protect us.

The Voter’s Responsibility

But who is to blame for this sorry state of affairs? It is easy to point fingers at the politicians, but the truth is, the fault lies with us, the voters. We are the ones who have allowed this to happen. We are the ones who have voted for these thieving politicians time and time again. We have been swayed by empty promises and flashy campaigns, and we have failed to hold our leaders accountable.

We have not engaged in meaningful civic education. We have not taken the time to understand our role as voters and the power we hold in shaping the future of our country. Instead, we have allowed ourselves to be manipulated, to be bought off with cheap handouts, and to be distracted by political theatrics.

The Consequences of Poor Voting Choices

The consequences of our poor voting choices are all around us. We live in a country where life is miserable, where our basic needs are not met, and where our future looks bleak. We have no one to blame but ourselves. Look at countries like Venezuela, where poor voting choices have led to economic collapse, widespread poverty, and mass suffering. Or Zimbabwe, where decades of poor governance have turned a once-thriving nation into a shell of its former self. These are cautionary tales, and we are on the same path.

The Urgency of Change

If we do not change our ways, if we do not take our responsibility as voters seriously, we will continue to live and die in misery. We will leave our children with a country that is worse off than the one we inherited. But it is not too late. We can turn things around. We can demand better from our leaders. We can educate ourselves and our fellow Kenyans about the importance of making informed voting decisions. We can hold our leaders accountable and refuse to settle for anything less than good governance.

We are at a crossroads. The choices we make now will determine the future of our country. We can continue down the path of corruption, poverty, and despair, or we can choose to rise above it. We can choose to be informed, engaged, and active citizens who demand the best for our country. The power is in our hands. Let us not waste it.

Kenyans, it’s time to wake up. We have no medicine in our hospitals, no books in our schools, no roads to drive on, and no future for our children because we elected thieving politicians. The time for change is now before it is too late.

About Steve Biko Wafula

Steve Biko is the CEO OF Soko Directory and the founder of Hidalgo Group of Companies. Steve is currently developing his career in law, finance, entrepreneurship and digital consultancy; and has been implementing consultancy assignments for client organizations comprising of trainings besides capacity building in entrepreneurial matters.He can be reached on: +254 20 510 1124 or Email: info@sokodirectory.com

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