Curing Kenya’s Disease: A Call for a Factory Reset

 

Gatehi Rebiro, Former Kandara Parliamentary Candidate

By Gatehi Rebiro, Former Kandara Parliamentary Candidate

Kenya is grappling with a deep-rooted disease that has kept the nation trapped in cycles of dysfunction. This disease, which transcends corruption and bad governance, stems from systemic failures that continue to plague the country’s political, economic, and social fabric. In an impassioned plea for a drastic overhaul, Gatehi Rebiro, a former parliamentary candidate for Kandara, advocates for a complete "factory reset" to address the nation’s woes and pave the way for a prosperous future.

Rebiro's diagnosis of Kenya’s ills highlights a combination of tribalism, electoral manipulation, overrepresentation, and a political class that prioritizes self-interest over national progress. He warns that unless these core issues are addressed, the country will remain ensnared in a vicious cycle of political deceit and economic stagnation.

The first and most urgent issue, according to Rebiro, is tribalism. He describes it as the “deadliest disease” that has led to division and instability, fueling political tensions and undermining national unity. “As long as we allow tribes to define us, we will remain captives of a system that exists to divide and rule us,” he states. He calls for the creation of a unified Kenyan identity, free from ethnic divisions, and urges the government to eliminate tribal references from national documents and government records.

Rebiro also calls for an end to tribal-based political formations, which he argues are primarily driven by the need for short-term electoral victories, rather than a genuine commitment to national progress. These political parties, he asserts, are more concerned with political brokers enriching themselves than addressing the issues that affect the ordinary citizen. He proposes the establishment of political parties based on ideology, policy, and vision rather than ethnicity and personality-driven politics.

On the issue of electoral reform, Rebiro criticizes the outdated voter registration process, which he says is a tool for electoral manipulation. He proposes the abolition of voter registration and the use of National IDs and biometric authentication for voting, citing the need for a more efficient and transparent system. Such reforms, he suggests, would save billions of shillings, which could be redirected into more pressing areas like education, healthcare, and infrastructure.

The overrepresentation in government is another significant challenge highlighted by Rebiro. He points to the bloated government structures, with too many appointed positions and redundant commissions, as a drain on national resources. Rebiro advocates for reducing the number of elected positions, streamlining government operations, and ensuring that public offices are filled based on merit, not cronyism

March 21, 2025