Of Endings and Beginnings: Kenya’s Moment to Re-imagine Its Political Future

In 1963, Kenya broke free from colonial rule and gained independence. What followed was the tyranny of a one-party state; a period marked by repression and fear. But courageous political activists, civil society, and citizens resisted. They fought hard, and together, they ushered in the era of multiparty democracy, a collective act of imagination and resistance. That, too, evolved, contested elections became the norm, culminating in the 2007 elections, one of the most fiercely contested in our history, which ended in a bloody episode of tribal violence.

That violence brought us to our knees, but it also gave us a gift: the 2010 Constitution. A document born of pain, hope, and compromise. Yet, despite its promise and potential, we have not fully lived its spirit. We have only cherry-picked, and neglected provisions that call us to greater justice, participation, and equality. One such provision is chapter 6, that remains isolated and unrecognized.

Now, more than a decade later, we are at another turning point, this time driven by the generation born slightly before and after the violence, the generation raised under this Constitution - Gen Z.

They are marching not for a politician or a party but for principle. Their demands are not tribal; in many ways they are moral. They are about accountability, dignity, and a desire for a better life.

This is not just defiance or discontent but a civic awakening. Let us also make it a moment of national reflection.

Even as the youth march to the streets against the ills of bad governance, we must remind ourselves that protests are not the end in themselves, they are a call. A call to reclaim the vision of Kenya we were promised. A call to ask: what is our role in ensuring that this dream is realized?

Time moves swiftly. Today, you are young, full of energy, passion, and protest. Tomorrow, you may have children. Soon, you are older. There is no luxury of time. That is why the system must deliver the demands of the people, not as a favour, but as a matter of urgency.

It is urgent to fix our country. Fix our politics so that we can fix our economics.

To reimagine Kenya’s future, we must first confront and learn from our past. As Patrice Lumumba aptly reminds us, “a country that does not learn from its history is doomed to repeat it.” This demands honest reflection, critical analysis, and the deliberate implementation of corrective measures to ensure we do not repeat the same mistakes. Only by reckoning with our historical missteps can we build a more just, inclusive, and resilient nation, one grounded in lessons learned and guided by a shared vision for the future.

Our politics cannot continue to revolve around personalities. Our politics cannot be tribal. Those who seek public office must be morally and ethically upright. We must begin to demand leaders whose character reflect the future we want - people of integrity.

Even now, when the country is ripe for transformation, we must create the moment, define it, and stick to the issues. Let us refuse to allow politicians to hijack this moment with tribalism or personality contests. Let us not be distracted by efforts to personalize or tribalize what is clearly a national awakening.

Yes, Kenya is made up of diverse ethnic communities. But the future we seek is not one of fragmented tribal enclaves. Our vision is one: a united, just, and prosperous Kenya.

A Kenya where systems work. A Kenya where public resources are managed transparently, and services are delivered efficiently. A Kenya with quality education for all its youth. Affordable healthcare for every citizen. A future where the youth go to school, get jobs, and earn a decent living. A country where everyone has the opportunity to dream and to achieve that dream.

This is the goal. This is what must awaken us. To do this, we need more than anger. We need more than hashtags. We need a moral movement, one that calls us to be better as citizens. A movement grounded in values, in ethics, in truth, and in service.

Because at the core of our national dysfunction is not just a political crisis, it is a moral one. A moral failure that has turned our politics into an arena of confusion, manipulation, and selfishness. If we can confront this moral problem, we will begin to resolve the rest, corruption, bad governance, unemployment, tribalism, and exclusion.

This is our moment. Let us not miss it. Let us face it with courage, with clarity, and with conscience. Turn this ending into a new beginning, a better Kenya that we shall build together.

This is Kenya’s turning point. From endings, let us choose a better beginning.

Posted by Fredrick Ajok on July 14, 2025

Categories:  #Governance