Kenya must break its structural shackles

By  Stephen Gachahi

Former public health officer

Kenya is living through a moment defined by accumulation.

Problems that once appeared manageable have grown into structural burdens slowing the country’s progress.

Bureaucracy has expanded beyond reason. Institutions meant to safeguard democracy lack authority to act. Public appointments are shaped by tribe rather than talent, while violence still shadows the democratic process.

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As the 2027 elections approach, the opposition remains divided, with competing ambitions weakening its ability to present a credible alternative to President William Ruto.

Division benefits the incumbent, while unity strengthens democratic competition. A cohesive opposition that rallies behind one candidate can consolidate voter blocs, pool resources and articulate a clear national vision.

A broader coalition is taking shape. The Linda Mwananchi movement led by Edwin Sifuna, the Democratic Congress Party under former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua, and Wiper under former vice-president Kalonzo Musyoka illustrate the potential of cooperation when leaders choose common purpose over personal rivalry.

Even the strongest coalition cannot succeed if public institutions reward tribe over merit. Government hiring often prioritises ethnicity and political connections over competence. This undermines national development and erodes trust in public institutions.

Transparent, qualification-based hiring is essential. Merit builds strong institutions, while favouritism weakens them. A country seeking progress must choose skill over surname.

Recent violence in Homa Bay underscores how fragile democratic gains can be. Every candidate should be able to campaign anywhere in the country without fear or intimidation. Violence threatens electoral legitimacy and damages Kenya’s reputation for democratic practice.

Kenya’s administrative map is another structural problem. The 47 counties were created with the promise of bringing government closer to the people. Over time, that promise has been diluted by the cost of maintaining so many units.

Many counties were drawn along ethnic lines rather than administrative logic, resulting in a system that mirrors old divisions instead of encouraging national cohesion.

Reducing the number to 12 regions would create a structure that is easier to manage, less expensive to maintain and better aligned with national needs. Kenya deserves a map that reflects its future rather than its fractures.

The same applies to constitutional commissions. Bodies such as the National Cohesion and Integration Commission were established to protect democratic integrity.

Yet, without prosecutorial authority, they remain limited in enforcing accountability.

A commission that can investigate but cannot act has limited power to deter wrongdoing. Granting such institutions independent prosecutorial powers would allow them to respond swiftly to violations and reinforce public confidence in the rule of law.

The war on corruption suffers from a similar weakness. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission investigates cases but relies on other arms of government to prosecute them. This dependence can create delays that allow impunity to flourish.

Kenya needs an anti-corruption body with authority to prosecute suspects directly. Removing bureaucratic barriers would help cases move from investigation to judgment without unnecessary obstruction. Corruption is an economic drain that weakens the country’s ability to grow.

Taken together, these issues show that Kenya’s challenges are structural. They require political courage, institutional reform and a willingness to abandon systems that no longer serve the public interest. The country cannot fix tomorrow while holding tightly to frameworks that belong to yesterday.

Kenya deserves institutions that enforce accountability rather than perform it. It deserves a public service chosen for competence rather than tribe, politics defined by ideas rather than intimidation, and a democratic culture where unity is a strategy rather than a slogan.

The path forward is clear. The question is whether Kenya is ready to walk it.

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Stephen Gachahi is a former public health officer in Kenya and now a businessman in Washington State, United States.