Commentary on Kenya Protests through the Lens of Chinua Achebe's "The Trouble with Nigeria"
"Decades after its publication, 'The Trouble with Nigeria' still illuminates the political and social realities of modern Africa
By Kanda Jerotich Jacinta
Introduction
For the last few weeks, citizens of Kenya embarked on a series of protests mainly spearheaded by the Gen Z generation focusing on important questions related to governance, economic struggle, and social justice. These protests were occasioned by the government's Finance Bill for fiscal year 2024/2025, which the citizens deemed made their economic plight worse. President William Ruto formed his administration through the assertion of the "hustlers" who were to be empowered through the 'Bottom-Up' economic model, but has not been withstanding criticism over the delivery of these policies. This commentary aims at identifying certain patterns in contemporary Kenyan situation recollected in motifs explored by Chinua Achebe in the book called 'The Trouble with Nigeria'. The issues of failed leadership, tribal discord, social injustice and corruption, despite the geographic difference, do not seem to be more troubling in Nigeria than in the contemporary Kenya, proving that the troubles of one nation may be the troubles of the other.
Chinua Achebe Lenses
History repeats itself, there is nothing new under the sun and what we see today has happened in one form or another. This is clearly seen as will be demonstrated below when the book written in 1982 is a true reflection of what is currently happening in Kenya today. Analyzing the Nigerian state in the years following the country's independence, the renowned author gave an account of some of the fundamental political and social problems affecting Nigeria in the book. Achebe analyzes that the heart of every problem in Nigeria is leadership because leaders have not been able, or willing to fight vices such as tribalism, lack of patriotism, corruption and social injustice.
The observations made by Achebe can in fact still be seen as valid today because many of the problems that the author pointed out continue to affect Nigeria, as well as other African countries. As it has accurately been said by one of the reviewers: "Since 64 years have elapsed, the critique is still current to this date and corruption, indiscipline, tribalism, poor nationalist, illiteracy and greed are some of the factors annihilating several African administrations."
The occurrence of the protests dubbed the #OccupytheParliament in Kenya, carried out by the Gen Z of the country demonstrates the relevance of the book. The protesters are calling for change on issues of high taxes, unemployment and rampant corruption which has been the vice of Kenya for many years as has been the case with Nigeria. In ten crisp chapters, Achebe categorically analyses some of the issues which negatively affect Nigeria; ethnicity, civil unrest, graft, inequity and uncompromising mediocrity. The writing does not shy away on giving the readers real life examples and no-holds-barred comedy making the book a very meaningful one.
The following is an exemplary quotation by one of the reviewers: "Everyone should read this, especially African politicians and people in positions of power. However, do African politicians read?" As it can be seen throughout the book, Achebe challenges Nigerians and makes them accept new behaviors that should liberate the country from old habits that keep it from progressive change. Even now, when the book has long since its time, 'The Trouble with Nigeria' continues to be a text that can shed the much needed light on the political and social realities of modern Africa. Indeed, this message of a bold critique as well as the demand for real leadership still reverberates in the region to this very day, and the names of those who personally cut across this list include Achebe.
Failure of Leadership
Based on the quote above and throughout the book, Achebe reaches a conclusion that leadership is the key to Nigeria's woes. He continues to reason that "the problem with Nigeria is as straightforward as it can get, the leadership has failed." This can be said in relation to Kenya specifically after president Ruto's administration has been criticized for not being able to deliver on the campaign promises and effectively govern the nation. Political favoritism has been on the rise where political loyalists are offered various strategic positions thus giving people a perception of government ineptness together with corruption.
The Kenyan youth especially the Gen Z cohort have complained about being led by a cadre of leaders who seem not to comprehend the lives that the citizens go through. That is primarily why people are angry and frustrated with the government because they still do not tackle necessary matters like unemployment, increasing cost of living and poor public services. From whichever angle one chooses to look at it, Achebe's analysis of leadership failure in Nigeria directs a mirror towards the current Kenyan political arena, and urging the necessity for rulers, who spare no time in mugging citizens' welfare for personal or political gains.
Tribalism and False Image
In his book, Achebe dissects the impact of tribalism on Nigeria's unity and stability. He opines that owing to tribal loyalty, there are splits that ensue and retard development. This theme is more apparent in political affairs given that ethnic associations have a profound influence on Kenya. The recent protest movements have highlighted a desperate need for a unifying set of values, the need for a people of the nation to find identity beyond the tribal division of the people, the youth, who expected more from tribal leaders.
Furthermore, the nature of the government to create a fake facade of proactivity and stability while most of the citizens are poor and dissatisfied relates to Achebe's perspective that nearly all African countries maintain a fake image of themselves. These conditions have caused Kenyan citizens to be resentful over the materialistic successful political class while they grapple with hardships. Gen Z mobilization, with the culture of transparency where there is no fictional truth which those in power can spread and make the masses believe in, demands the change and exposure of powerful people's corrupt deeds.
Social Justice and Mediocrity
The application of Achebe's book to the current Kenyan socio-economic affairs is apt as it offers the culture of mediocrity intertwined with social injustice. These protests have revealed that the society has become increasingly polarized with the super-rich on one side and the poor on the other and the undue advantages the powerful have over the powerless in the society. Inadequate public services like healthcare and education that are a result of incompetence in governance mean that poor people have no resort to a better life.
This is worsened by the fact that the current generation of leaders is considered to be far from the actual day to day life experience. Achebe's idea that 'Nigerians are what they are because the leaders are not what they should be,' can be extended to the present leaders who lack vision; they encourage mediocrities that hinder circulation of new ideas. The continuing move for more consciousness towards increase in standards and accountability among Gen Z is due to the realization that more than ever, great leadership entails bottling the best and a call on the unjust practices of society.
Corruption and Patriotism
Malpractice, especially in the two countries, Nigeria and Kenya, has become a notorious problem that negatively impacts the level of public confidence and the rate of development. Thus, the criticism of corruption, clearly illustrated by Achebe as being the main issue in Nigeria can also be attributed to Kenya, where incidences of graft and embezzlement have been rampant across different successive regimes. The recent scandal in which fertilizers that were supplied to farmers by the Agriculture Cabinet Secretary turned out to be fake is a clear indication of how deep rooted corrupt practices are in the government much to the detriment of many.
Achebe defines patriotism as an emotional love directed by critical intelligence. He claims that spurious patriotism is a hallmark of Nigeria's privileged classes where generally unearned positions of sudden power and wealth must seem unreal even to themselves. Protests by the Gen Z have also revealed the problem of lacking patriotism which should be reconceptualized to mean the love of country without selfish ambition. Achebe noted that the true patriotism entails asking the highest of one's leaders, and when the leaders fail, we hold them to account. Thus, the youth's fighting for justice and non-tolerance for the shady deals depict an emerging Kenyan citizenship that is willing to work for a better Kenya for all the citizens.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the recent unrest in Kenya points to the timeless relevance of 'The Trouble with Nigeria'. Chinua Achebe's analysis of Nigeria's problems and vices was manifested in the problems that are facing modern Kenyan society, proving the interdependence of the African countries' issues. Since the Gen Z movement wants those responsible for social injustices to be punished, it is the responsibility of the leadership to embrace such things and ensure that the young generation gets what they want. The piece provides a ray of hope and a good number of lessons for the current and the prospective leaders where Achebe called for proper convictions, lasting visions for the wellbeing of the citizens. The road to the change is opened for those who are ready to face some bitter truths and fight for the future which will be better for people.