This archive report was first published on 5 January 2020.
As Kenyans return from their holiday breaks, it's clear that rural towns are struggling to provide public recreation facilities for their citizens.
Adults often find themselves limited to drinking, eating nyama choma, and watching Premier League football, while children are dragged along to restaurants with swimming pools or play areas.
However, the lack of well-maintained public recreation spaces is a disappointing failure of our leaders.
Take Trans Nzoia County, for example, where a former theatre has been converted into a bar, and a nature walk and museum are in a state of disrepair.
Kitale Club, the main gathering spot, is in need of major renovations, and the Saiwa Game Reserve is decrepit and poses a hazard to visitors.
Other counties, such as Kakamega and Kisumu, also lack sufficient public facilities, with the Kakamega Forest Reserve being left to atrophy and indigenous trees being felled.
Even Kisumu, which claims to have the Ruma Park, lacks a safe and well-maintained public space for families to enjoy.
On the other hand, Machakos County stands out for its investment in the People's Park, a clean and safe haven for families and visitors.
Coastal towns, such as Mombasa, have made efforts to improve public facilities, with the recently opened Mama Ngina Waterfront being a notable addition.
Our leaders in the counties must start demonstrating care and entrepreneurial spirit, inviting private money to supplement public resources.
As Tom Mshindi, former editor-in-chief of the Nation Group, notes, 'Our leaders do not lead sheep. They lead human beings who desire and deserve an improved quality of life.'
