Today is Jamhuri Day when Kenya celebrates 60 years since gaining Independence on December 12, 1963.
Kenya has a lot to be proud about. It is the acknowledged leader of East Africa, dominating finance, air travel and manufacturing in the region. It is by far the richest country in East Africa.
Occasional blips like the failure of the generators on Sunday night at JKIA should not distract us from this achievement.
However it is regrettable that Kenya is also bedevilled by corruption. Many things are blamed on the colonialists, some fairly, some unfairly. But the special circumstances of Kenya predisposed it to be prone to corruption after Independence.
The Europeans accumulated considerable wealth in Kenya, largely through land-grabbing and cheap labour. After Independence the new African ruling class hijacked this wealth – it was just too tempting.
And that set the tone for the next 60 years. Every generation of politicians and bureaucrats wanted to get rich quick.
President Ruto has been very vocal on the need to clamp down on corruption in Kenya. Our nation would become a much better place if he could keep his promise and break this vicious cycle of corruption.
Quote of the day: "Be regular and orderly in your life, so that you may be violent and original in your work."
Gustave Flaubert
The French novelist was born on December 12, 1821
