Deep state in Kenya: Insights on an amorphous impediment to common good, 1902-2022

Abstract

Historical evidence consistently shows that Kenyans since colonial period have yearned for economic and political emancipation. Although the country seems to have achieved substantial prosperity compared to its peers in East and Central Africa, its full potential has been frustrated by an amorphous entity commonly referred in Kenya as “Deep State”, “system”, “sirkal” or siri kali (deep secret), “monster”, “dragon”, “mafia” or “leviathan” that is ill bent to benefit some few individuals at the expense of the wider society through corruption and electoral fraud. The journey has been a painful struggle foiled by the machinations of a hidden hand. The paper takes the reader on a historical journey that confirms the existence of a shadowy entity that has all along frustrated Kenyans from giving themselves the desired political leadership and prosperity. The questions that were asked in this paper are, is the deep state real in Kenya and how can it be annihilated? The study discovered that “Deep State” is an amorphous fluid entity that morphs depending on prevailing circumstances and interests of those in political power, high ranks of the civil service, the judiciary, the police, businesspeople, and their clientele. The study divulged entities that can completely extinguish the Deep State in Kenya for the sake of the country’s political freedom and prosperity as pronounced by its freedom fighters at independence.