Why Kenyans have little confidence in their government and its institutions

Free Primary Education was the genuine achievement; the only achievement since the Narc government came into being, that brought hope to all Kenyans.

Kenya achieved high economic growth under the Narc government, but it turns out that most Kenyans are poorer now than 10 years ago.

Citizens are wondering what that historic change election was about.

After that election, Kenyans were elated. Kenya was a land of hope.

People now wonder what that euphoria was all about.

People feel that corruption is just as rampant now as it was 10 years ago.

The FPE corruption case has brought on a crisis of confidence.

Even for a meagre pay, mothers and fathers work very hard, even when they are sick, so that they can give a gift of life that is education, to the children they so dearly love.

Many mothers and fathers cry because they can not scrape hundreds of shillings to buy books or school uniforms, so their children cannot go to school.

As we speak, a mother has been buried in Tot in Marakwet.

The 40-year-old Josephine Kipyatich committed suicide because she could not bear the pain and the shame of failing to take her son to Form One after he passed exams. We let Mrs Kipyatich and her son down.

Mothers and fathers are told that government officials have been eating those monies that they have been working so hard for but could hardly earn.

They are told by the Minister and the Permanent Secretary that “we did not know about it, so we are not responsible.” People ask how can it be? People do not believe in what the senior officials tell them.

The ill of corruption is that it eats into the social fabric.

What lessons are these FPE corruption stories teaching young pupils?