Political activist Morara Kebaso has called on Kenyans to acknowledge their part in sustaining corruption, arguing that the public is both a financier and an enabler of graft in the country.
In a post on X, Kebaso highlighted how citizens contribute to corruption through taxes and tribal loyalty in politics.
He pointed to instances where individuals pay bribes to secure employment in state institutions, such as the police, citing the common expectation that illicit earnings will supplement official salaries.
Kebaso questioned whether the electorate holds itself to the same ethical standards demanded of political leaders. He asked,
“These values of integrity that we want our leaders to have, do we have them? How can honest people vote for a thief?” His remarks underscore the persistent tension between public expectations of governance and the choices made at the ballot box.
Kenya has long struggled with entrenched corruption.
The Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index 2024 placed the country 123rd out of 180 nations, reflecting systemic challenges in public accountability and service delivery.
The activist’s comments also touch on the influence of tribal politics in Kenyan elections, which some experts say affects merit-based appointments and reinforces networks that enable corruption.
Over the years, public tolerance of such practices has been linked to the difficulty of implementing effective anti-graft measures.
Kebaso’s statements have sparked discussions on social media, with users debating the balance of responsibility between leaders and citizens.
Some agree that voters must prioritize ethics over personal or communal loyalties, while others caution against holding the entire public accountable for structural corruption.
By shifting the focus from political figures to citizen behavior, Kebaso emphasizes the importance of personal accountability in Kenya’s ongoing governance and integrity challenges.