My take on the current State Of The Nation

As a Kenyan who has lived in the country for at least two decades, I must appreciate the fact that we have come far. A lot must have been done to get us where we are now. Well done to the masterminds behind the development so far. It is honourable to give credit where it is due, and, this is a habit many are yet to learn. On the other hand, it is a weakness to only see the negative without noticing the efforts made even on little things. Allow me to say Hongera once more, and there’s still more to be done.

In as much as I acknowledge the changes made, I am saddened by the current state of the nation. We have a long way to go. Differ with me if you will, but this is the state we are in right now as a nation:

• The rich are increasing in wealth, as the poor lose even the little they had. While poor mama mboga is paying tax for a business she can hardly count on, billions and billions of money are going unaccounted for. Minor offences are being charged in court while the major thieves are awarded top seats in government. You know what I am talking about, need I say more?
• Qualified graduates are losing out on opportunities because they lack connections, yet those with top connections are given positions they are not qualified for. It runs through from the National to the County governments. It is who you know that counts. Advertisements are made with postscripts like “…we are an equal opportunity employer and give more priority to women and the physically challenged….” when the truth is that these positions are already given out to the “best” even before the interview takes place. If one or two will be taken from the interview, it is just for formality, to avoid obvious question marks. I am sorry, this is happening.
• Because opportunities for career development are not given to able citizens, Contracts end up in the hands of foreigners because they are good at their jobs and deliver better. Well, how will the native professionals get better if they are not given the opening to grow? Lack of professionalism is a result of wanting our own people to serve where they do not belong and earn the salary of a would be qualified person. It is therefore better for a Kenyan to seek greener pastures outside, where he will be awarded for what he can give, not who he knows.
• Corruption and injustice is the order of the day because a majority believe it will never end. We are negative about change. So we accept to be corrupt because it will never end, after all. What we fail to understand is that this starts from the inside. For corruption to end in the country, it must start with me. It must start with you. We make the nation.
• The life and health of the citizens is of less concern to the government than infrastructural development. It is better to build roads than save the hunger stricken, it seems. These are the same people that are encouraged to vote when election time comes.  I am not saying nation building should not take place, but the life and health of the citizens should come first.  Anyway, welcome to Kenya.

I am a proud Kenyan, because this is where I belong. However, I am a sad Kenyan, because I know great minds are being drained out of the country to build the rest of the world; Kenya is not ready for change yet. As I share this now, thieves are strategizing on how to steal more, the corrupt are making their deals and the common citizen is waiting for August to give them the right to embezzle without question!!!

Dear Kenyans, let us wake up. We are contributing to this state of the nation, directly or indirectly. The country is ours, let’s stand for change. Let’s be the change.

Peace.

By Liz Ekakoro:Diaspora Messenger contributor