Report blames Kenyans for slow development

By Peter OrengoKenyans are to blame for good governance challenges and poor leaders they elect to public office, a new audit report by Strategic Research Company shows.
While Kenyans were optimistic that the new Constitution would solve most of their problems, they blame failure to realise development since independence on poor leadership.
Most of the respondents interviewed mentioned unemployment, at 17.3 per cent, as the main problem affecting development.
On social issues, the respondents, mentioned tribalism and nepotism (22.8 per cent) and insecurity (12.2 per cent) as problems that need agent attention while less than half said poor governance (45.3 per cent) and corruption (19.8 per cent) as political problems facing the country.
The survey was commissioned by Community Aid International and Jadili Coalition on the performance of the Government on good governance and seeks views on implementation of the new Constitution.
Economic problemsDuring the survey, each county gave different views on economic problems within their areas that require immediate attention.
It emerged that corruption, poverty, unemployment, tribalism among others were all attributed to poor leadership.
Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission chairman PLO Lumumba who launched the report blamed Kenyans for choosing leaders who cannot drive the development agenda.
"We have continued to use the ballot to elect semi-illiterate and visionless leaders who change into demi-gods once they are in the office. This time we must interrogate ourselves and do the right thing," said Prof Lumumba.
He said there is need to change the political class to achieve implementation of the new Constitution since the current ones are busy fighting the process.
"In orders for ethnicity to be dealt with, we must first remove those who try to set us apart and seek for those who only stand of unity of Kenyans," he said.
The citizens gave the Government a satisfaction rating of 6.1 per cent. This was attributed to lack of commitment to address challenges confronting Kenyan.
"Poor leadership, which has given the nation poor governance over the years is viewed by majority as the cause of many historical injustices.
"This has hampered equitable distribution of resources nationwide," said Ceasar Handa, the Strategic Research boss.