Why Kenyans have little confidence in their government and its institutions

What lessons do our young people get from the scenes of police officers extorting money?

Many, many young people now think that stealing public money and making a quick buck is the way to get ahead.

Kenyans are losing trust in public institutions. People are losing Confidence in government. It is endangering our social fabric and social cohesion.

International donors too are losing confidence.

The four aid agencies that fund the primary education in our country collectively have set four conditions to resume their funding.

We were supposed to be past this stage where donors set conditions for us.

It is a chapter we were supposed to have closed 10 years ago. We will find a way of meeting their requirements. But this time we will go well beyond what the donors require.

We do not want cosmetic changes. We want a fundamental and systemic change for the sake of this nation, for the people we serve.

What then do we do? Do not pass the buck. Do not blame your subordinates. Do not blame the donors. Do not blame the press. The buck stops with you.

First, you are entrusted by the public for the overall management and administration of your ministry.

It is your responsibility to ensure that your ministry, and the staff who work there, serve the public.

If your ministry fails, or your staff fails, you take responsibility.

If you, or your ministry, lose confidence of the public, then you can no longer serve the public.

In accordance with this principle of institutional accountability, I have recommended the President to direct the Minister of Education and the Permanent Secretary to step down.

Second, the principle of institutional accountability must transcend the entire organisational structure of every ministry.