Kenya’s Grand Deception: Lies, Corruption, and the Rot That’s Killing Our Future

In this series of articles, we delve deep into the heart of Kenya's socio-political landscape—a country where deceit, corruption, and mismanagement have become entrenched in every aspect of governance. This series seeks to expose the lies perpetuated by politicians and reveal the realities that the public faces daily, from failing infrastructure to broken health systems and rising inequalities.

Today's feature is a spotlight on the hypocrisy of the political class—those who distract the nation with endless impeachment proceedings and hollow public participation exercises, while ignoring the real issues that plague our economy and citizens' daily lives. The stories in this series will unravel, one by one, each facet of this grand deception, offering a call for change and genuine accountability.

Public Deception and the Cost of Political Theater

Kenya is in a perpetual state of political theater. Just recently, the nation has witnessed a wave of impeachment threats and public participation forums involving the Deputy President and other key political figures. Rather than focusing on solutions to the country’s critical economic issues, much of the political leadership seems fixated on internal power struggles and publicity stunts, creating an illusion of action while the real problems remain unsolved.

The impeachment threats, for example, serve as yet another distraction. Allegations of corruption and incompetence are being aired against various government officials. While such accountability measures are crucial in a functioning democracy, the reality is that most of these proceedings lead nowhere—they serve as mere tools for settling political scores or shifting the public’s focus from the underlying systemic issues of corruption and economic mismanagement. This relentless political theater consumes time, money, and resources that should be used to address pressing matters like education, health, and job creation.

Public Participation as a Fa?ade: A Political Circus at the Expense of Citizens

In recent months, Kenya's political landscape has been dominated by public spectacles that do little to solve the real problems facing the nation. Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has been conducting public consultations across the country, purportedly listening to grievances and addressing issues directly "from the ground." Meanwhile, President William Ruto frequently travels the country, appearing on top of cars at rallies and presenting his image as a leader close to the people. This political theater, however, comes at a high cost to the public, with precious time and public funds being spent while critical issues are left unresolved.

The most recent example of this is the ongoing impeachment proceedings against Deputy President Gachagua. In a move that has brought significant public attention, parliament launched an impeachment motion against Gachagua, citing allegations of inciting ethnic divisions and undermining government functions. This impeachment motion has now been followed by a series of public participation hearings across the 47 counties, with citizens given an opportunity to provide their views on the matter.

The public hearings are presented as a means of engaging with citizens, but the reality is that they are part of a larger political drama that aims to distract from pressing national issues. The extensive public participation process involves hearings in each of Kenya's 290 constituencies, coordinated from 47 specific locations, and spearheaded by officers from Parliament's secretariat. These events, taking place over the course of several weeks, are being funded by taxpayers, diverting resources away from essential areas like health, education, and economic development.

The ongoing impeachment saga has created a major political spectacle, with various lawmakers from Deputy President Gachagua's stronghold in the Mt. Kenya region dramatically changing their positions on the matter. Initially, many of these lawmakers supported the motion to impeach Gachagua, but following visits to their constituencies, some have withdrawn their support, citing feedback from their constituents. This U-turn reveals how politicians often use public consultations as a pretext for political maneuvering, rather than genuinely addressing the needs of the people. The consultation has now turned into a call for "reconciliation" between President Ruto and Gachagua, showcasing the political nature of these exercises and their detachment from public priorities.

Meanwhile, the economic situation in Kenya continues to deteriorate. In the Jua Kali sector, the informal heart of Kenya’s economy, artisans and tradespeople are left sitting idle, waiting for clients who simply cannot afford their services. With no money in circulation, the informal economy is grinding to a halt. Yet, politicians continue to flaunt their growing wealth—acquiring more properties and living luxurious lifestyles—while ordinary Kenyans face mounting economic hardships. This disconnect between the political elite and the ordinary citizen underscores the failure of the government to address the real economic and social needs of the people.

The resources being poured into these political shows—be it impeachment hearings or public consultation tours—could be far better used to address pressing needs, such as providing adequate funding for secondary education, enhancing healthcare services, or supporting the informal sector that millions of Kenyans depend on for their livelihoods. Instead, what we see is a fa?ade of public participation, used to justify decisions that have already been made, and to maintain a perception of transparency without any meaningful outcome for the public.

This article is part of a broader series titled "Kenya’s Grand Deception: Lies, Corruption, and the Rot That’s Killing Our Future," where we explore the lies perpetuated by Kenya’s political class and highlight the real issues that are being ignored. In the coming days, we will continue to unpack how these issues—from economic mismanagement to public sector corruption—are affecting Kenyans and what must be done to address them. We will offer insights into building genuine public participation, supporting the informal economy, and holding leaders accountable. Stay tuned as we uncover the truth and advocate for a better future for Kenya.

The Jua Kali Sector: A Symbol of a Struggling Economy

Meanwhile, a walk through Kenya's Jua Kali (informal) sector paints a very different picture—one that reveals the stark realities of a struggling economy. Artisans and tradespeople who rely on daily customers to make a living are left sitting idle, waiting for clients who never come. With no disposable income in circulation, there is simply no demand. People are struggling to make ends meet, and the knock-on effect on the informal economy is severe. Businesses are closing, families are going without basic necessities, and hope is dwindling.

Contrast this with the politicians whose wealth seems to be growing exponentially. While the Jua Kali workers wait for jobs that never arrive, the political elite are seen purchasing luxury cars, acquiring more property, and expanding their wealth, seemingly oblivious to the economic crisis facing their constituents. The gap between the political class and the ordinary citizen has never been wider. This juxtaposition is the very essence of Kenya’s grand deception—a story of two worlds that coexist uneasily: one of privilege and impunity, the other of struggle and neglect.

A Call for Change

Each article in this series aims to provide more than just an exposition of Kenya's challenges—it is also a call to action. It is easy to become disillusioned in the face of pervasive corruption and repeated failures of leadership. But it is precisely in these moments of disillusionment that change becomes possible. We must, as citizens, refuse to be drawn into the deceit of political theatrics and demand a focus on real issues. Our leaders must be made to prioritize policies that generate jobs, stabilize the economy, and provide equitable access to essential services like healthcare and education.

In subsequent articles, we will explore how we can build mechanisms for genuine public participation, the need for economic policies that support small businesses and the informal sector, and the importance of holding public officials truly accountable—beyond mere threats of impeachment or symbolic gestures. We will also look at successful examples from other countries and discuss how Kenya can learn from these experiences to create systems that genuinely work for its people.

Moving Forward

This series is a journey into understanding the depth of the challenges facing Kenya today, and it serves as a reminder that it is possible to make a difference. The truth, uncomfortable as it may be, is the first step towards transformation. By exposing the lies and understanding how they impact every facet of our lives, we can collectively demand change, hold leaders accountable, and reclaim a government that serves its people, not its elites.

Stay tuned as we continue this series daily, exploring different aspects of Kenya’s challenges—from corruption and deceit in public office to the mismanagement of education funds, the broken healthcare system, and the untapped potential of the Jua Kali sector. Each piece will offer a deep dive into the rot that’s holding Kenya back, and most importantly, a vision for how we, the people, can move forward.