The State of Kenya's Politics Is An Obstacle to Economic Growth

By Robert Mutasi

Kenya is at a crossroads in its recent history, especially concerning the state of its politics and the effects it has had on the general prospects of economic growth in the country.

Unfortunately, there is overwhelming evidence that leads to the malaise that presently afflicts Kenya's political institutions, which has a direct translation to the stifling of real economic progress.

Hence, it logically follows that surmounting political obstacles would go a long way in returning the nation to the development trajectory.

This article examines the Kenyan political scene and determines some of the existing conditions that have been inimical to overall economic progress over the years, thereby suggesting viable solutions as well.

Civil Unrest and Political Discord

Violent demonstrations triggered by political posturing have almost become the signature of our political landscape and this has had a direct consequence of causing enormous human and economic devastation as investors lose faith as a result.

A case in point is post-election violence in recent years, a consequence of election results being mired in long-standing controversy.

Despite a comparatively well-oiled electoral machinery that was once the world's envy for its efficiency in tallying results, it has now effectively reduced to nothing but window dressing for wholesale chaos at the expense of productive segments of the Kenyan economy that otherwise stand to gain from peace, stability, and growth.

Recent political mudslingings, hate-speech targeting some religious, ethnic or political groupings, corruption scandals, arbitrary arrest and other divisive vices have heightened ethnic tension within the region and further pulled political institutions into despondency - thereby undermining the nascent economic gains.

These disruptions have a negative impact on business confidence that consequently leads to fewer job opportunities while undermining capital flight.

If the trend is not halted the already fragile East African economies will be the largest casualty. Additionally, increasing instances of politically engineered violence result in an over-budget security spend that drains much-needed funds from major areas of development like education, housing, and employment creation.

With no seeming end to deep-seated cycles of violence amid a vigorous peace-promotion agenda, Kenyan politicians' seemingly empty, but often poisonous, rhetoric are hollow-points that resonate with no impact on those whose lives were earlier shaken to the core by their brazen efforts to gain short-term political mileage.

Crippling Corruption

Corruption is also a major vice that cripples every sector of our economy at every level that finally influences overall growth.

Decay of our public institutions has destroyed private and public trust.

Unscrupulous politicians have abused their offices in public administration, extorting huge amounts of money from revenue collecting agents and other such government agencies rendering the government accountable to external bodies such as IMF and foreign aid agencies, thereby creating budgetary pressure, which also setback sustainable development.

Successive governments have made high-sounding pronouncements to resuscitate our economy in spite of lukewarm attempts to put anti-corruption campaigns and legislation into action – with not much tangible impact.

A staggering 98% of public money does not find its way to poor Kenyans while corruption becomes a virtue.

This earns Kenya a dismal 69 out of 10 in corruption perceived index where lower is worse.

Secondly, the continuity and promotion of a culture in which filth peddlers are permitted to hold leadership roles worsens because impunity is a siren call that encourages further illegal activity.

Evidently, radical action beyond rhetoric that goes after entrenched corruption's underlying structural drivers like battling corrupt institutions while enforcing stringent controls on accountability must begin from the topmost offices.

Any halfway measure will end up being expensive to the infant economic recovery that waits patiently.

Finally, the message should be sent out that the common Kenyan continues to bear this vice's burden making economic progress increasingly unlikely.

All segments of society must unite to fight corrupt practices and call for justice hence creating an environment loathing moral decadence.

Last but not least, politicians must eliminate outdated political slogans and design economic policies.

There is stark evidence that they must start rebuilding economies by putting emphasis on institutional renewal – through investment in education to create a unified next-generation workforce or to improve job creation thereby increasing human capital.

Under good leadership our great nation beckons ample opportunities to those truly committed to unleashing its immense economic potential thereby improving human well-being.

It can be seen through collective effort that Kenyans can restore economic growth opening the doors to a politically stable country, where a democratic and prosperous future awaits.

Until then, our economy stutters thus becoming a fertile ground where socioeconomic disharmonies continue to manifest themselves at the expense of sustainable growth.

Thus, untangling the governance issues is the solution not only to endless cycles of corruption-driven recriminations among the political elite that confuse the nation today but also opening the floodgates to prosperity of Kenyans across all political and socio-economic divides.