By Joseph Owuondo

On 10th September 2023, The Editor of the esteemed Nairobi Review recognized the significance of my article titled “Determination to Disappointment: A Kenyan-American’s Journey Back Home and Back to the US,” and decided to impart it to the world.

The piece has stirred a veritable storm of responses, sparking dialogues and spreading far and wide. In this realm of erudition and enlightened discourse, I find immense value in every ripple of feedback—be it critical or laudatory.

It nourishes the very essence of intellectual exchange, manifesting as an extension of our perpetual cycle of learning. To my discerning and soulful readers, I extend my heartfelt gratitude for your role in stimulating new ideas and fortifying existing ones.

To those insightful souls who bestowed upon me their constructive and actionable critiques, I stood by my promise to transmute your words into ink and delve deeply into the trials and tribulations faced by Kenyan graduates, the burgeoning young scholars, seasoned academics, revered researchers, technocrats, artists, athletes, entrepreneurs, patriots, and specialists alike.

The invaluable feedback received has organically fallen into three discernible categories, each shedding light on a crucial facet of our societal landscape:

Firstly, an unambiguous and disheartening revelation emerged—the chronic and pervasive failure of the Kenyan political leadership system in recognizing and adequately rewarding natural talents, academic prowess, and homegrown solutions.

A lamentable tale of unrealized potential and squandered brilliance, where merit takes a backseat and the journey from determination to disappointment is often the chosen path for many aspiring minds.

Secondly, a glaring gap came into view—the deliberate ignorance or woeful lack of strategic investment and partnerships aimed at fostering innovation, cultivating fertile ground for idea germination, conducting meaningful research and development, and promoting scholarship.

The educational apparatus, unfortunately, seems misaligned in its objectives, overlooking the urgent need to equip individuals to address the challenges at their very doorstep.

Thirdly, the troubling reality of a society marred by despondent and pessimistic students and workers, mere shadows of their potential selves, became apparent.

The pervasive environment of minimal expectations stifles the motivation to transcend mediocrity. When employment and assimilation are not driven by meritocracy, the impetus to rise above the ordinary is tragically diminished.

Yet, woven into the fabric of our challenges lies an insidious thread—lack of political goodwill, a broken political system, rampant corruption within the corridors of power, and the prevalent practice of bribery to secure public and private company jobs.

Our judicial system, too, languishes in a state of disrepair, failing to uphold the pillars of justice and fairness. In the realm of thought and action, we find ourselves at a crossroads.

The feedback acts as a compass, guiding us towards a reformation of the system that nurtures brilliance, facilitates innovation, and galvanizes a society hungry for growth.

As we collectively navigate the intricacies of this intellectual journey, we remain steadfast in our pursuit of a brighter, more enlightened tomorrow—one that celebrates talent nurtures innovation, and echoes the resounding spirit of progress and excellence.

Joseph Owuondo (jowuondo@gmail.com)

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