Pathetic Leadership our own Undoing

The reason we never get good leaders in this country is due to our inherent inability and general reluctance as the electorate to objectively criticize the political candidates we choose to support. It is also the main reason we have been unable to hold such leaders accountable once we elect them into office.

We have raised our respective tribal leaders to the pedestal of demigods; infallible and beyond reproach in our eyes. Such that anyone who raises criticism, legitimate or otherwise, towards our mheshimiwa of choice, is instantly branded ‘an enemy and a detractor paid to besmirch the reputation of our leader(s)’. On the contrary, we have no qualms about embellishing the shortcomings, real or otherwise, of leaders on the opposing side of the political or tribal divide while turning a blind eye to the same in our own camp and in our leaders of choice. It's a classic hypocritical epitome of removing the speck in the enemy’s eyes whilst ignoring the log in our own.

It’s no wonder our political elite and their conniving accomplices find it easy to partake in their usual orgy of corruption and abuse of office, safe in the knowledge that we (supporters) will faithfully plunge headlong to their defence and fight to the death if need be, as they gleefully gorge themselves silly off our sweat. Meanwhile, most of us continue wallow and languish in abject poverty.

The truth of the matter is the ‘political horses' fronting themselves and masquerading as the true agents of change are teeming with individuals whose reputations and performance track records have been questioned in different platforms; individuals who have served in the previous government(s) but with few, if any, achievements to show for it except for bulging pockets stuffed with dubiously acquired wealth. Yet, as is our wont, we have conveniently chosen to turn a blind eye as we inebriate ourselves with euphoria. Alas! We are going to vote them back in!

That achievement of development milestones are pegged on good governance borne of visionary leadership cannot be gainsaid. That visionary leadership is attainable only via rigorous vetting process of office contenders is irrefutable. But, as long as our collective short-sighted and casual attitude and approach to leadership continues to thrive unabated, Kenya will forever remain firmly yoked and tethered to the bondage of bad governance, poor leadership and stunted growth and development; the so much harped about change forever remaining an elusive mirage achievable through the lip service campaigns currently flooding the media.