Renowned Kenyan lawyer and anti corruption advocate, Professor Patrick Loch Otieno (P.L.O.) Lumumba has delivered a scathing critique of Africa’s politicalspace as he highlighted a troubling trend where corrupt individuals ascend to leadership roles.
In various speeches, Prof. Lumumba has contrasted how different societies handle corruption as he attributed some countries
In Japan, a corrupt person may take their own life out of shame.
In China, they are executed.
In Europe, they are jailed.
In Africa, they often run for office and win elections.
This observation emphasize a deeper issue within African democracies where Prof. Lumumba argues that the continent suffers from “kakistocracy”, a system governed by the least qualified or most unscrupulous citizens. He emphasizes that the problem isn’t solely with the leaders but also with the electorate, stating, “Africans are somehow attracted to thieves and people who cannot serve, then act surprised when the people they elect behave like ‘thieves.'”
Prof. Lumumba calls for a paradigm shift as he urged African nations to prioritize ethical leadership and hold public officials accountable. He believes that only through conscious decision making and a commitment to integrity can Africa realize its full potential.
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