African Leadership: A Reflection on Kenya’s Self-Governance and Resource Exploitation

When Kenya gained independence from British colonial rule in 1963, it was a moment of pride and optimism. The nation, along with many other African countries, believed that self-governance would finally lead to the kind of development that the people deserved—a break from the oppressive colonial systems and a new dawn where African leaders, with deep connections to their land and people, would take charge of national development. The expectation was that post-independence African governments would be an antidote to the exploitation of resources and people under colonial rule. Unfortunately, this optimism has been met with the harsh reality that many African leaders, including those in Kenya, have replicated the same oppressive systems they fought against, with corruption, greed, and an elite scramble for resources overshadowing the ideals of independence.

The question arises: why did we remove the colonizers only to install leaders who perpetuate the same systems of exploitation, except now wearing black skin? As we analyze Kenya's leadership, it is crucial to reflect on why, after fighting so hard for independence, the country still suffers from leadership failures that bear striking similarities to colonial exploitation. Have African leaders truly embraced the responsibility of self-governance, or have they simply taken over the colonial mantle with a different face?

The Scramble for Resources: History Repeating Itself

The image of African leaders today scrambling for resources mirrors the infamous Berlin Conference of 1884-1885, where European powers partitioned Africa for their economic gain without regard to the people living on the continent. The conference led to the division of African territories among European nations, who exploited the land and resources for their own prosperity, while indigenous populations were subjugated and impoverished. Fast forward to post-independence Kenya, and we see a familiar pattern, albeit with local elites at the helm. The political class, once expected to protect the nation’s wealth for the benefit of its people, has instead turned into a self-serving oligarchy, fighting over the partitioning of national resources much like the European powers did.

In Kenya, political power has increasingly become a gateway to wealth accumulation. Leaders are often seen jostling for control of lucrative sectors, positioning themselves and their allies to benefit from state resources, often at the expense of ordinary citizens. This behavior begs the question: how different is this from the 19th-century European partition of Africa, where the continent's wealth was divided for personal or national gain? The similarity is striking, with the key difference being that the new partitioners are homegrown elites rather than foreign powers. The irony of Kenya’s independence struggle is that the same exploitation once carried out by Europeans is now done by its own leaders, often with even less regard for the wellbeing of the population.

Economic Colonialism: The Sale and Leasing of National Assets

A particularly troubling aspect of Kenya’s modern leadership is the trend of leasing or selling national assets to foreign entities. A case in point is the discussion around leasing Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to a foreign company for 30 years. The decision to hand over such a critical piece of infrastructure to foreign control raises serious questions about Kenya's sovereignty and its leaders' commitment to national development. If the country’s key assets are being mortgaged for short-term financial gains, what does that say about the long-term vision of its leadership?

This form of economic dependence, where foreign entities are given control over key national resources, closely resembles the colonial arrangements of the past. Back then, foreign powers dominated the continent through resource extraction, benefiting immensely while the local populations remained impoverished. Today, while the leaders may be African, the result is disturbingly similar. Leasing critical infrastructure like JKIA for decades is akin to ceding control over national sovereignty. If this is not a form of modern-day slavery, then what is? This arrangement creates a new form of subjugation where, instead of outright colonization, the country is controlled economically by external forces, enabled by its own leaders.

Political Fragmentation: Kenya on the Verge of Rupture?

One cannot ignore the political class's role in fragmenting the country along ethnic, political, and economic lines. There seems to be a concerted effort to divide the nation, with leaders leveraging ethnic identities and regional differences for political gain. This practice has led to tensions that threaten the very fabric of the nation, much like the European partitioning of Africa divided tribes and communities with arbitrary borders, sowing the seeds of conflict. Kenya, instead of being a united nation-state working towards collective development, is increasingly split into competing factions, each clamoring for control over resources.

Is the political class actively trying to tear the country apart? While this may sound alarmist, there is growing evidence that Kenya’s leadership is more focused on securing individual and regional interests than working towards a cohesive national vision. This deliberate stoking of divisions serves to maintain power and control, with little regard for the long-term consequences for the country. The partitioning of Kenya, in a metaphorical sense, continues as different groups fight for the spoils of the nation’s wealth, leaving ordinary Kenyans to suffer the consequences.

The Failure of Education: Miseducating a Generation

The education system in Kenya has come under scrutiny as a potential factor in the country's leadership failures. Have we educated our youth in a way that prepares them to lead the country with integrity and foresight? Or have we perpetuated a system that churns out leaders who are primarily concerned with personal enrichment? The education system, from the colonial era to the present, has largely focused on creating a workforce rather than cultivating leaders who can think critically about the country’s development needs.

Lucky Dube, the renowned South African reggae musician, once sang, “Teach them right, teach them how to survive.” This poignant message speaks to the need for education that not only imparts knowledge but also instills a sense of responsibility, ethics, and commitment to nation-building. Kenya’s education system must be re-evaluated to ensure it produces leaders who are capable of steering the country towards prosperity, rather than replicating the failures of the past. The current system, with its emphasis on academic success over practical leadership skills, has arguably contributed to the rise of a political class that is ill-prepared to tackle the country’s most pressing issues.

The Cry for Help: Kenya in Distress

Kenya is crying, and its cry is loud enough to reach the heavens. From the coast to Lodwar, from Mandera to Kisumu, from Mt. Elgon to Namanga, the entire nation is in distress. The people are struggling under the weight of economic inequality, political corruption, and the lack of opportunities. The country’s leaders, rather than addressing these pressing issues, seem to be more focused on securing their own futures at the expense of the nation. As the nation’s struggles intensify, there is a growing sense that Kenya has lost its way.

The people are left asking: who will save us? Kenya’s cry is not just for better leadership, but for a return to the ideals of independence—self-governance, development, and the equitable distribution of resources. The angels, so to speak, may be wondering whether Kenya is truly the Christian nation it claims to be, given the widespread corruption and greed that define its leadership. If Kenya’s leaders do not heed this cry, the consequences could be dire.

A Call for Change

Kenya’s journey since independence has been marked by moments of promise and periods of deep disappointment. As the country continues to grapple with leadership challenges, it is crucial for both the leaders and the citizens to reflect on the direction in which the nation is headed. Kenya’s leadership must move away from the exploitative practices that mirror colonial rule and instead embrace a model of governance that prioritizes the development of the nation and the wellbeing of its people.

The current political class may seem intent on dividing the nation and exploiting its resources, but the future is not yet written. There is still hope for a new generation of leaders to emerge—leaders who are educated in the true sense of the word, who understand the importance of unity, development, and ethical governance. The cry of the common mwananchi, the ordinary Kenyan, must not fall on deaf ears. The country’s leaders have taken enough; it is time for them to give back to the people and work towards a future where Kenya’s wealth is shared equitably, and its people can thrive in a truly independent nation.