Voting out 'Kasongo', bringing in 'Wamunyoro' is not the answer

The coming together of opposition leaders to form what Kenyans have dubbed the Wamunyoro group was an anti-climactic for many of us seeking national renewal in 2027. The group which brought together many recycled members of previous administrations included some people with a chequered past that disqualifies their candidacy for leadership in the Kenya we want.

A more troubling charge against the Wamunyoro group is that they are obsessed with replacing the Kenya Kwanza (KK) administration and do not seem to offer alternative solutions to the myriad economic challenges bedeviling the nation. Although the national consensus is that the KK administration is irredeemable, the Gen Z revolution was symptomatic of a nation that has undergone fundamental social changes that require more than merely sending the President to Sugoi. That the Wamunyoro group do not understand these fundamental changes is ample evidence that they are not the transition leaders that will midwife a new Kenya.

Moreover, and proof the Wamunyoro group slept through the Gen Z revolution, their strategy for denying Ruto a second term aims at cobbling tribal kingpins in order to dominate the ethnic voting block notwithstanding that a critical constituency in 2027 comprises a youthful generation that has declared its antipathy for identity politics. That their factory settings are firmly rooted in tribal ideology means that they are still living in Egypt while those looking for change in 2027 have long crossed over to Canaan.

Since the gathering at Wamunyoro village, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has launched his Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) in preparation for 2027 elections. DCP is a product of a firmly held belief that the way to uplift the interests of a community is to form a regional party to fight for allocation of national resources. Contrary to the thinking behind this political strategy, the high unemployment rate in the country and the underlying reason for the Gen Z uprising is a product of this tribal ideology.

According to this tribal ideology, Kenyans are perceived as cultural beings whose strengths and abilities are solely determined by their ethnicity. To ensure equity, this tribal ideology requires the government to play the central role of distributing resources so that each community gets its fair share of national resources. Since prosperity is determined by those who wield power, this tribal ideology makes politics a zero sum game where different ethnic groups fight for leadership positions in order to influence economic outcomes.

Given inefficiencies inherent in centrally managed economies, over-reliance on the visible hand of the government to allocate resources has produced a country that is perpetually borrowing and raising taxes in order to meet funding needs. Inevitably, heavy external borrowing has resulted in unacceptable levels of sovereign debt that makes Kenya vulnerable to manipulation by international lenders while increased borrowing in the local market has resulted in crowding out of a more efficient private sector.  

The generation that has borne the pain of big government inefficiencies is the Gen Z whose dreams of employment have been shattered by the cumulative effect of bad governance. To make matters worse, attempts to voice their discontent has been ruthlessly put down by an administration that is determined to protect the interest of an entrenched old guard.

As the 2027 election cycle draws near, it is clearly obvious that the Kenya we want will not be realised by merely replacing Kasongo with Wamunyoro but by uprooting a tribal ideology that has influenced political and economic policies in the past. As a starting point, Kenyan must look for a new leadership that subscribes to an anthropocentric liberal ideology that respects human rights and individual freedoms. Unlike the old guard who wanted a paternalistic government that can be controlled, a “woke” youthful generation wants a democracy that respects human rights and economic freedoms.

Historically, nations transiting from traditional to liberal values have been confronted by two competing ideological orientations. The first ideological option seeks to empower the private sector by limiting government influence in the economy. This option believes the best way to stimulate the economy is by managing the interest rate regime in order to enable the private sector and individuals to thrive. Instead of wasting time telling us that 'Kasongo must go', Kenyans of this ideological persuasion will need to start preparing campaign platforms outlining strategies for reducing the role of government in the economy. An interesting point of discussion, for instance, would be a proposal to reduce our 47 county 'crime scenes'.  

The second option for those campaigning for 2027 elections is to continue using the government to allocate resources to safeguard regional balance. The economic consequence of this approach is, however, similar to the effects of central command model that has influenced economic policies since independence. The onus of those who wish to continue with this approach will be to explain why a central command economy is still the best option for the Kenya we want.