Monarchy to Avert Anarchy

Swaziland is Africa’s only absolute monarchy. King Mswati the 3^rd, who ascended the throne in 1986, holds absolute executive power over State and Government. Examples of other absolute monarchies around the world include; Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Brunei, Andorra, and Oman. Vatican City, the world’s smallest state, is also considered to be a form of a monarchy under the sitting Pope who holds full power over everything although he is usually elected by the Conclave of Cardinals.

With the exception of Swaziland, all the other monarchies are economically prosperous. All of them have also been peaceful with no civil unrest in recent history. This leads me to think that maybe adopting a monarchical system of government would help to solve most of the problems associated with democracy. Before you leave in anger, let me explain why I think things are not working, especially in Africa, and particularly in Kenya.

Dysfunctional Democracy

I have written on this blog before that Kenyans were not ready for democracy (http://thelaymanspoint.blogspot.co.ke/2015/05/kenyans-are-not-ready-for-democracy.html). Our version of democracy is obviously not working. Instead of enhancing our sense of oneness as a country, it has made most of us retreat into our congested tribal cocoons. It is at this point that some of you refer to my surname so as to know how it ‘betrays’ me. It is true that the Layman also belongs to a tribe (with a big and cosy cocoon, I might add). That I don’t retreat into my tribal cocoon is a matter of personal choice because I believe it is possible for all of us to collectively build our nation for our good and that of our children. This function of democracy however, is not working.

Useless Elections

We have a reprieve from the anti-IEBC protests today. This, we are told, is to ostensibly give dialogue a chance. Our previously beloved (but now loathed) Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission is fighting for survival. It reminds me of another commission which lost its battle for existence. My Identity Card still has the seal of the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK), still embossed on it. The people who fought for the removal of the ECK are the same ones who have declared that IEBC must go. They promised us that IEBC would be fool-proof, apparently because of the word “Independent” in the name. It turns out it was not so “Independent” after all.

Since I attained voting age, it seems to me that every subsequent election brings more discord into the country than the previous one. In the five years between elections, politicians spend at least 80% of their time strategising on the next one. The term “election mode” has become ambiguous owing to the fact that it is now a permanent status unrelated to the election calendar.

Widespread Greed

One of the ‘fruits’ of our democracy is the decentralisation of greed. Anybody can now afford to be greedy. Opportunities for exercising that greed are everywhere, even in the most ‘insignificant’ county. From what I have read in the history of monarchies, this was not possible. Every single coin intended for the royal coffers somehow found its way there – even if it meant somebody losing their head, quite literally!

The Masses to Concentrate on Wealth Creation

If CORD had not called off its protests today, thousands of people across the country would have been busy chanting, “IEBC must go!” throwing stones at the police, and inhaling painful lungful’s of tear gas. Now they will have to go to their farms or businesses and do something useful with their day. If Kenya was a monarchy, that rare situation of people working during the day and sleeping soundly at night because of tiredness would be the order of the day. Anybody suicidal enough to engage in anything other than wealth creation would face the gallows.

Centralised Responsibility

Democracy encourages collective responsibility. This looks good on paper but is used by evil people to hide their vices. Even the business world shuns collective responsibility of decisions. Only the chief decision maker can be held to account if something goes wrong. This is not the case with a democratic government. It is for this reason that we hear of serious scandals involving billions of shillings and yet nobody is in jail; neither has any of the money been recovered. In a monarchy, the King is responsible for all decisions and you will never hear him passing blame for even the most serious problem.

Honing the Leadership skills of the Ruling Class

As it is now, any Layman can become a leader. This creates the problem of lack of leadership skills. In monarchies, members of the royal family are prepared for leadership from the time they are born. They are therefore able to rule effortlessly and inspire confidence in their subjects thus improving the atmosphere of the entire country and enhancing productivity and peace.

P.S. If we are to go the monarchy route, I suggest we pick the royal family from among one of those tiny tribes in order to create some balance and convince some communities that leadership is not their birthright.