This archive report was first published on 13 July 2019.
Kenya's democracy has been a subject of debate for years, with many questioning its true nature. In a scathing critique, author Magesha Ngwiri argues that the country's practice of democracy is nothing but an oligarchy, where a few individuals with vast wealth wield significant influence over the government.
Ngwiri points out that democracy in its purest form is impossible, as it requires universal agreement on how to govern. Instead, Kenya has a system of representative democracy, where elected officials are supposed to represent the people's interests. However, this system has been compromised by the influence of wealthy donors who contribute to politicians' campaigns.
These donors, often referred to as oligarchs, use their wealth to buy influence and secure favors from politicians. In return, they expect politicians to deliver lucrative tenders, diplomatic postings, and other benefits. This has created a system where politicians are more accountable to their donors than to the people they are supposed to represent.
Ngwiri argues that this system has led to the dilution of democracy in Kenya. The influence of oligarchs has resulted in policies that benefit a few individuals at the expense of the majority. The author notes that many contributors to campaign finances remain anonymous, using lobbyists to push their interests.
Furthermore, Ngwiri points out that the cost of running for political office has become prohibitively expensive, making it difficult for individuals of modest means to participate in the democratic process. This has led to the election of politicians who are more interested in lining their pockets than in serving the people.
As a result, Kenya's democracy has evolved into a rule of the many by a few, where rulers have perfected the art of robbing the poor and giving back peanuts during harambees and other forms of philanthropic tokenism.
Ngwiri concludes that the influence of oligarchs has a long history in Kenya, but the people never seem to learn. The author warns that until socio-political turmoil brought on by greed and inequality erupts, anyone sounding the alarm will always be deemed to be shouting in the wilderness.
