Kenya’s Leadership Crisis: Neglect, Corruption, and the Urgent Need for Accountability
Kenya faces a leadership crisis where neglect and corruption continue to cost lives. Explore the impact of failed governance on public safety and the pressing need for new, accountable leadership. Read More
In 2015, a Member of Parliament (MP) was shot in Nairobi during the night. As investigators rushed to find the culprits, members of the Parliamentary Committee on Security, which had approved a multimillion-shilling project to install security cameras in Nairobi, were questioned about the functionality of the cameras. Shockingly, they admitted they didn’t know if the cameras worked.
This response highlights a major issue in Kenya’s governance. The fact that these committee members, including the chairman, continued to hold their positions despite this failure shows a troubling lack of accountability.
Let’s take a moment to reflect on this. Millions of shillings were spent on this project, yet no one cared enough to check if it worked as intended. If these cameras were installed in their homes, you can bet they would have made sure they worked perfectly. After all, their personal safety and money would have been at stake. But when it comes to public money and public safety, it seems they couldn’t care less.
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This kind of attitude, where officials neglect their responsibilities and still remain in office, is a big problem in Kenya. We see the consequences of this neglect every day.
Illegal dams burst, killing people, yet the officials who approved them and the minister in charge keep their jobs. Buildings collapse due to poor construction, taking lives, but the inspectors and officials responsible face no consequences.
When tragedies happen, like deadly road accidents caused by poor roads and weak traffic enforcement, or fires that take the lives of school children, the officials responsible often continue to enjoy their perks and salaries. They may visit the accident site, offer their condolences, and move on without any real accountability.
This neglect and impunity have become too common in Kenya. To fix this, we need new leadership—one that truly cares about public safety and the responsible use of public funds. The old political elite, who have been in power for decades, won’t solve the problem. Real change is needed to prevent further failure of the state.
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