It was a minister in the Office of the President, who, while trying to redefine government to his constituents stated that a government is a body that can do anything on anybody and is not obligated in any way to explain its actions. And this was not in January 1830; it was in June 2006! Let us trace the path Kenya has trod to sink to this level.

Jomo Kenyatta, a maverick colonial detainee took over the reign of the nation immediately after independence in 1963 and ruled until 1978 when he passed away while asleep at the Kenyan coast.

During his tenure Kenya witnessed some of the most impressive economic growth rates on the continent. This was largely attributed to the enthusiasm with which citizens took liberation from colonialists. The infrastructural might that had been inherited from the British Protectorate and the unity that existed among the 42 ethnic communities after the departure of the white settlers were a great boost to the growth of the economy. Global factors did not also have much impact on the local economy.

Despite the seeming economic boom, issues of corruption were not being given prominence then as the President himself and his plutocracy engaged in open and massive land grabbing and nepotism. The colonial masters had just left and there was a lot of fortune for those who wanted to amass wealth and enrich themselves.

Democracy was not known as the President could hand pick parliamentary candidates, bar some from running and suspend some from Parliament. Multi-partyism was banned and for the 15 years he was at the helm, there was no presidential election. Kenyatta always won unopposed! Impunity was high and human rights could be violated without raising a finger.  It was during his tenure that Kenya lost some of its most prominent sons; being kidnapped, jailed without trial and killed.

After the death of Kenyatta, President Moi was the man who took over the reign of the government of Kenya. A former classroom teacher was expected to bring the calmness and probity of character formation associated with the teaching profession into the high office. Most Kenyans who had despaired with the previous administration took the Moi entry as an opportunity to redeem the lost glory of the Kenyan country.

He actually captured the national psyche when he released all the political detainees, promised free primary education and embarked on a national healing campaign with his philosophy of peace, love and unity. He looked humane and caring occasionally walking down the village paths sharing with peasants, attending funerals and generally maintaining a common touch.

Four years down the line, Moi begun to meticulously dismantle public institutions, reward loyalty and disregard merit and it was during this time that the seed of tribal jingoism planted by Kenyatta started sprouting again.

Looting of public property was back, now with a vengeance, ‘it is our time to eat’. Political dissent was criminalized and a torture chamber established complete with staff and torture equipment. Politically instigated tribal clashes hammered the last nail in Moi’s political coffin. It was just a matter of time before Kenyans could throw mud balls at him in a national stadium having ruled them for a quarter a century.

Exit Moi, enter Mwai Kibaki. The year 2002 remains one of the most memorable times in the minds of Kenyans. It was the first time in the life of the then 40-year-old nation to use the power of the ballot to bring in a President by resolution of the people.

Mwai Kibaki, riding on the wave of a popular coalition rode into power with much ease than it had been anticipated. He had two daunting assignments on his table: give a new constitution and stamp out corruption. The task was clearly cut out for him and he could not manage to beat about the bush.

To carry out these reforms, Kibaki needed a strong political base, which had quickly dissipated owing to his reluctance to honor pre-election pacts with coalition partners. To insulate himself against the impending political storm and the expected backlash from the impatient growing citizenry he surrounded himself with vocal tribal henchmen.

The hitherto popular Kibaki Administration started losing ground. It sought to manipulate the Proposed Constitution to their advantage but when the document was subjected to a national Referendum, Kenyans resoundly rejected it…sending Kibaki and his advisors into panic.

The much-touted war on corruption soon became a cropper as the tribal ring around the President ran helter skelter scooping every loose material in the public coffer eating as if it was the last time to eat. Kenyans were shocked one morning to hear that nearly Kshs. 55 billion had been gobbled up in shady security related projects ostensibly to prepare for political activity funding in a scandal that came to be known as Anglo Leasing.

A quickly assembled anti-corruption commission promised to seize the dragon called corruption and kill it once and for all but that remains to be seen. The man in charge of the team is variously charged by an enraged public of being consumed with self-preservation and engaging the public in a cat and mouse game with empty tough talking and little to show for the more than Kshs.2.5 million that he earns per month.

The freedom of speech that had been hailed as one of the major milestones of Kibaki’s rule soon evaporated in thin air. This was when hooded security agents invaded a famous media network in the heart of the city at midnight and vandalized property, assaulted journalists, switched the national television off air, set newspapers ablaze and stole several computers.

When the minister concerned was asked about it he arrogantly admitted responsibility and stated that he had no apologies. When the Justice Minister was questioned she laughed it off as a normal state operation.

This has been the trend and Kibaki may have a lot of damage healing to do before he calls it a day considering the Minister’s now stated position that it is a government that may unleash anything on anybody…but be warned that there will be no explanation!