Is Kenyan Dream a Mirage or Reality?

 When one thinks of the "American Dream," images flood the mind, opportunity, freedom, self-actualization a vision of a nation where work ethic and determination can drive one to success, regardless of background. But when it comes to Kenya, one has to ask, What is our dream? What do we as Kenyans want to achieve in our nation, and is that dream opened up and open to all?

Indeed, the reality on the ground is the total opposite of this idealistic vision. To many Kenyans, this dream has been reduced and befouled by tribalism, clanism, and politics. To many, it would appear that one stands highly based on one's ancestry and the county where one hails from than one's expertise and experience. Pathetically, most Kenyans excelling in their fields are highly qualified yet get paid petty bills. They cannot even afford to put food on the table an exposé of our society's inability to cater to its most gifted members.

The only working formula for self-actualization in Kenya is access to the political elite. Most professionals end up as personal secretaries, of sorts, of these political overlords. Perhaps an engineer, for example, reduced to overseeing Chinese contractors rather than designing and constructing infrastructure. Or the teacher for that matter, who is reduced to hustling side classes to meet basic survival needs. These are not isolated incidents but part and parcel of the overall pattern where professionals are stagnated due to a lack of opportunity; they are bound by political bondage.

Highly educated in Kenya is often seen as a problem by the political class. Your qualifications can even be seen as a threat to the status quo, even when you have no political ambitions. This is a familiar refrain: "Your papers won't take you anywhere." Skilled labor, in any case, is employed for the development of the nation free of political interferences in developed economies. In Kenya, however, tribe, clan, and other affiliations seem to be very strong at play in the labor market. Which is frustrating enough but as a matter of fact the reality has meant we are being hobbled in our economic development.  Take Turkana for example. There have been several big government appointments from this community since independence. Peter Barnabas Ejore was also an Assistant Minister for Cooperative Development during the Moi era. Ekwee Ethuro served as the Assistant Minister for National Planning and Vision 2030, whereas Josphat Kooli Nanok was the Assistant Minister for Environment and Natural Resources during the extensive years of Mwai Kibaki's reign. And under President Kibaki, Turkana also got a Cabinet position, that of John Munyes Kiyonga as the Minister for Special Programs. Later, under President Uhuru Kenyatta, he was made the Minister for Petroleum and Mining. But what next after appointment is the question? Are we ever going to be satisfied, and are we perpetually playing catch-up with each and every new regime? President Dr. Samoei Ruto has a made a significant nomination to one Beatrice Askul Moe to the docket of CS Nominee East Africa Community,the nomination is historic, the vetting is historic, the final appointment by His exellelleny will be historic, her work will be historic and we the people of Turkana will be accountable for the huge gesture, she has a historic duty to the people of Kenya.

It is not that we are not skilled or have no wish to contribute to the development of our nation. The problem is systemic, not personal, and that system denies us the provision of our ardor to the nation. The political class probably unconsciously precipitates our downfall as professionals to serve their own selfish interests. We cannot all be politicians. But we can work towards a Kenya where it shall be possible for every professional, minus consideration of their tribe or their clan, to exercise their ability.

Where then is the reference point for us, the Turkana people? Maybe the time to review the strategies and fight for a nation that shall accord its professionals the same level of repute as accorded to its politicians has come. This is not just an issue of the Turkana but a national one: professionals all over Kenya are suffering, and it's high time we address this truth head-on.

That Kenyan dream, whatever it is, should not remain a mirage. It must be a reality; the vision of a nation where hard work, expertise, and dedication are the only tickets to success. That is the vision for all of us let's build it together, my brothers and my sisters.

Together as one, the Cradle of Mankind and Skills.

Author,

Ekaale Ekuam 

A Freelance Writer, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management Consultant.