Our Ever Failing Institutions

It is very heart breaking to see how our main institutions handle matters affecting the public. These entities, responsible for serving the Kenyan people always underperform when it comes to executing their duties. I speak on behalf of many Kenyans, many of whom have no idea where the main root cause of the problem lies. Is it incompetence of the personnel? Is it due to lack of facilities? Or is it plainly negligence by such institutions? This particular issue has been puzzling me for ages and the worst part is that nothing changes as years pass by, regardless of the regime or even the constitution in place. So, will we as Kenyans ever receive quality service from our institutions? The main focus of this topic is the Kenya Police, the City Council (especially Nairobi) and Kenya Power.

The Kenya Police department recently claimed to have conducted some ‘reforms’. I believe that they went further to change the name to Kenya Police Service, to show that they are here to serve the people. This sector has always had a poor reputation and relationship with the public. Most Kenyans consider our police men and women as villains mainly because of their countless records off harassment and moreover, abuse of human rights. The police have been caught in camera, ruthlessly manhandling and beating suspects many of who are helpless at the time they have been captured. An example could be the young boy in Turkana, suspected of cattle rustling, whose story went viral on March 2012. A more recent example is the shooting in Dandora on April 22^nd 2012 that claimed some innocent lives. Summarizing a recap of police brutality in Kenya is an uphill task and due to numerous incidents, it’s enough to fill book. Away harassment issues, the investigation capacity of our law enforcers is wanting. I came to this conclusion after having an experience with the force. Not long ago, I lost my lap top at a nearby hostel from where I study. Luckily, the hostel conducts a security system whereby all visitors are required to sign in and out whenever they are in the premises. To cut the long story short, we were able to identify the main suspect by capturing his national I.D. card, thinking we actually got him and that through it, the police will have a leeway, but to no avail. I presented the case on three different occasions at Kasarani Police Station. When my case was finally attended to, one Officer Marangu (who I’ll never forget) showed up seeming concerned. I gladly presented the evidence, the I.D. card of the suspect in this case, and my smile turned upside down when he asked, surprised “hii tutafanya nayo nini?” I was speechless, and after filling the abstract form he instructed me to call him when I see the suspect. And that was it. I was to carry out the investigation. I left a very disappointed Kenyan because my reasoning was that, if the cops can’t investigate a small case of such a nature how will we trust them when they tell us they have arrested suspected terrorists or are investigating crime? That’s food for thought.

I have no knowledge or experience with local government personnel from other cities or towns; however, being a resident if Nairobi all my life I am in the position to critique the Nairobi City (NCC) Council, popularly known in the streets as kanjo. A recent survey was conducted on the NCC, and findings indicated that approximately 95% of the workers have only attained primary level education. Shocking and shameful statistic! First and foremost, Nairobi is the capital city. This is a fact that no sane mind should be reminded. Despite this, it’s a shame to see some parts of the city literally, looking like a dump.

(Mathare Valley)

These include areas of South C and South B, Nairobi West and slum areas in Eastlands and its environs. This could be so because most efforts of cleanliness have been concentrated towards the Central Business District (CBD). But not all streets in the CBD are clean. Going upwards to Luthuli Avenue and Landhies Road, you can observe the situation yourself. In addition, more and more buildings and businesses are cropping up within the city. In Zimmerman and Roysambu apartments are being built all over and at a threatening rate for the population. Problems such as water shortages and insecurity are bound to be experienced later on. Business activities are also emerging as if there are no regulations in place. In Nairobi, it seems anyone can start a business anywhere. A funny example is evident at the new roundabout along Thika Road, next to Uchumi Supermarket. Inside the roundabout you can see small business people ignoring the barriers and invading the space. More of them even operate by the road side, which are meant for pedestrians’ use since they are footpaths. But they know no one will do a thing about it, I actually recently saw a policeman buy something from there. How ironic. If no one does something about this, there’s the danger of a looming battle between the business people and City Council askaris.

Lastly, and perhaps the people’s least favorite institution is the Kenya Power. The company adopted this name after a ‘strategic’ rebranding, dropping the name Kenya Power & Lighting Company (KPLC). Millions were used in the celebrations of the launch of Kenya Power, which now has a new logo

and new plans for how electricity demands of the country are going to be met and distributed. All the above was a waste of time and funds, which would have otherwise been used in repairing their system. The bitterness I have with Kenya Power extends further to their pathetic excuses. It is the 21^st century and moreover the year is 2012, yet when the skies open, even slightly most parts of the country have to suffer blackouts. The impact such have on our economy is devastating to both the business people and consumers as businesses relying on constant supply of electricity, such as cyber cafes, restaurants, and barbershops among others have to halt due to power interruptions. Other activities in various households also have to either stop or difficult adjustments made, especially where generators are lacking. Like I said, this is the 21^st century and by now it is expected that Kenya Power have improved their operations and acquired equipment that resists adverse weather conditions like rain. That’s not all there is to it, because during the dry season the excuse is that the dams are dried up and so the generation of electricity will be insufficient hence power shortages.

 (Nairobi in darkness!)

 At this age, available technology should be used to ensure consumers are served fully. After all, we have engineers in this country, who can develop modern electrical technology, don’t we?

We are always forced to live our lives with difficulty in one way or another mainly because, someone somewhere sleeps on their job. Even worse is that we Kenyans are so used to it, to an extent that no one complains or seeks answers from these institutions. I for one have decided to change my attitude and will be ready to raise the alarm whenever such people fail to perform. One can use relevant hotlines, the media or join the civil society in applying pressure on these ever failing institutions. They are meant to serve us and as customers we bear the right to proper treatment. One may argue that complaining will not make them change. If we all take this path of thought then surely nothing will change but, if we adopt an increasing attitude of checking how they conduct themselves, they will be forced to submit.

99 vs. 1

In sports the team with numbers, either in terms of scores or players, is usually expected to have an upper hand or hold an advantage over an opponent with less. Looking at the global economic disparity, it is clear that the relationship between those who offer services and those in possession of the means of production is no game. This is because the workers who are the majority are controlled by the owners of big businesses. Karl Marx is well known for developing a theory that best explained the relationship of these two.

 (One of Marx's famous works, co-written with Frederick Engels)

 He saw a capitalist run economy whereby the proletariat-the laborers operate under the mercy of the bourgeoisie-the capitalists. He however predicts a rebellion against such a system whereby, the proletariat will revolt against the bourgeoisie and a classless society achieved. Whereby this has not necessarily been the case, some recent events have given weight to Marx’s prophecy.

“We are the 99%” is a famous slogan seen on banners and t-shirts of protesters of the ‘Occupy’ fame. The movement began in Wall Street the financial district of New York City, where protesters demonstrated against the extremely rich and later on the wave spread to London, parts of Greece, Lagos and influenced protesters from other parts of the world, with common problems.

The main grievances of the protesters, who mostly belong to the middle and lower classes, are concerned with income inequality, low wages and the influence of corporations in politics among others.

99 vs. 1 refers to a majority of poor people, the 99, against the rich minority. This is a characteristic feature of most countries and leads to a major class gap hence the society is basically run by the wealthier individuals. These individuals tend to influence politics in their favor and such close ties between large business corporations benefit only a few. Influence in politics may restructure economic practices through free market policies, and even outsourcing. Such practices lead to a somewhat unequal distribution of wealth and may even lead to unemployment in some cases. The resulting effect is that the rich get richer while the poor poorer. 

Looking at this scenario from a Kenyan point of view, it is quite evident that the minority will keep winning. The political elite for instance, are too powerful and command so much influence in the country’s institutions to such an extent that they are almost untouchable. Many cases involving politicians’ scandals have been revealed but most if not all get away with it. Besides that, our politicians use ethnic divisions, much like the colonialists, to conceal the truth from the people. We then become totally divided ethnically and become closed-minded that we cannot see the real issues affecting us. A good example is the trial of the four confirmed Kenyan suspects at the ICC. Through propaganda and hate speech, politicians have managed to twist the issue and deem it as certain tribes being targeted, whilst this is not the case.

Finally, it is time that the 99% globally, rise up against the few. Failure to this the minority will always possess the ability to enslave the majority due to monetary power. The real war is between the rich and the poor; it’s not about race, ethnicity, or any other existing social division, but about class. With a prevailing trend of exploitation by the elite, Marx’s prediction may actually emerge as it has already. The Middle East uprisings and the Occupy movement are an indication that the process is underway.

Stop complaining and protect our economies

Over the years, the two Bretton Woods institutions, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank have been come under heavy criticism regarding their free market policies. The World Trade Organization (WTO) has also received its share of the blame. Leading the pack of attack has mainly been African leaders as well as other developing nations. It is undeniable that the impact of market liberalization has been extremely devastating especially for Sub-Saharan African states, which end up being the poorest in the long run. Since independence of such states, financial problems were bound to arise and they did so concurrently with developmental targets. Continuous borrowing and overdependence has thus been the prevailing practice and the situation is worsening by the day. Our awareness of history has however not stopped us from repeating it and in my view I think the complaining, criticism and persistent bashing of the above institutions should stop! As Africa, then as individual states the focus should be on how to mitigate the impact of such policies while taking into consideration the future of our continent, which has basically been a tool for the enrichment of others.

Many scholars in the field of development studies and political economy have contributed to analyses of impacts of IMF policies on Sub-Saharan Africa states. In addition, the experiences of such may be compared and reviewed. It is therefore absurd how we let the same ruin us over and over. For one, regional trading blocs such as the EAC, SADC and ECOWAS may foster a higher bargaining and protective power for concerned member states. Through such co-operations, African economies can be protected from Western centric interests and growth be achieved.

When it comes to World Bank borrowing, strategies underlying deadlines ought to be put in place. In order for most African states to meet their developmental targets, most of which are intertwined with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), foreign aid is necessary especially where funds cannot be raised immediately. These external funds however, should be allocated towards the intended projects fully, so as to avoid recurrent expenditure for states. It is these recurring expenditure that leaves most states lagging behind in terms of development mainly because, the funds were either embezzled by corrupt officials or not used for the required purposes altogether, forcing a repeat of the same.

With regards to aid, as much as borrowing may continue, it is vital to reduce, financial dependence, preferably annually, so that in the long run states may develop a culture of self reliance and self sustenance. External debt can be handed the same treatment, whereby periodic payments should be made at clearly defined intervals, in order to avoid accumulation of debt which may cause underdevelopment.

The above techniques are neither impossible nor unrealizable. They have actually been adopted and implemented by some states, with the best example being Brazil. Brazil was considered a third world country not more than 30 years ago. Recently, she overtook the United Kingdom to become the 6^th wealthiest economy. This was done by putting in place debt management strategies, economic strategies that would later make Brazil a self reliant state and thorough utilization of foreign aid for intended purposes. Other countries that have been able to achieve self reliance almost in the same manner are India, China and Turkey among others. It is not rocket science! It has been done and can be done!

In summary, I do not think that the leaders of most Sub-Saharan Africa states have made enough effort to minimize the effect of neo-liberal policies and institutional aid, on their countries. Despite this, they still lament as to how and why such institutions as the IMF, World Bank and WTO are impoverishing Africa. In my view, the whining has to stop and some action needs to be taken. Since awareness of the on goings, proceedings and intentions of IMF and World Bank are in the open, focus should shift on how to reduce economic and developmental harm on African states. I urge our leaders to do something about the mess now that it’s already made!