Veteran activist Boniface Mwangi has launched a sharp attack on Kenya’s post-independence leadership, accusing successive presidents of presiding over corruption, land grabbing, and the accumulation of wealth through abuse of state power.
In a statement shared on social media, Mwangi traced what he described as a pattern of elite enrichment from independence to the present, arguing that each administration has deepened inequality and weakened public trust in government.
Mwangi began with Kenya’s first president, Jomo Kenyatta, accusing his administration of betraying freedom fighters and overseeing large-scale land injustices after independence.
He claimed that extensive tracts of land ended up in the hands of a few individuals, leaving many communities without meaningful access to resources in the post-colonial settlement period.
He further linked historical land distribution to present-day poverty in parts of Central Kenya, arguing that dispossession during the early post-independence years continues to shape socio-economic realities.
On the Daniel arap Moi era, Mwangi described the late president’s rule as authoritarian, accusing it of suppressing dissent and targeting critics, including academics and intellectuals.
He also faulted the period for weakening state-owned enterprises that previously played a central role in agriculture, transport, and public service delivery.
Mwangi acknowledged the Kibaki administration for introducing free primary education, terming it a major policy achievement.
However, he also cited corruption scandals such as Anglo Leasing and the Artur Brothers saga, as well as the disputed 2007 presidential election that led to post-election violence.
He nevertheless described Kibaki’s tenure as comparatively stronger in performance than some of the administrations that followed.
Turning to the Uhuru Kenyatta presidency, Mwangi accused the administration of enabling concentration of economic power within politically connected networks.
He alleged that influential business interests benefited significantly during the period, particularly in key sectors of the economy.
He extended similar criticism to President William Ruto’s administration, claiming it has fostered monopolistic tendencies across sectors including aviation, hospitality, banking, media, and petroleum.
He further questioned the allocation of government advertising and procurement, suggesting it favours entities linked to political interests.
Mwangi also raised concerns over recent fuel price adjustments, suggesting that economic decisions are influenced by political strategy ahead of future elections.
These claims remain unverified and were not accompanied by supporting official data.
He concluded by warning of growing public frustration, pointing to rising online campaigns demanding accountability from leaders.
His remarks reflect long-standing criticism from activists who argue that corruption and state capture remain central challenges in Kenya’s governance system.