By Morara Beckham
A bold new essay titled The Quiet Empire: Kenya’s African Elite and the Power They Hold by journalist Beckham Morara is igniting intense public discussion across the country, drawing praise, anger, and reflection for its unflinching critique of Kenya’s post-independence power structure.
Published over the weekend, the essay traces the rise of Kenya’s African elite from independence in 1963 to the present day, arguing that a small group of well-connected politicians, civil servants, and businesspeople quietly inherited the colonial machinery of control instead of dismantling it. According to Morara, this elite class has since entrenched itself in every corner of national life — from land and politics to business and the media — maintaining a grip on power that has lasted generations.
“They didn’t break the system; they inherited it,” writes Morara. “And from that inheritance, they created something more powerful than colonialism itself—an elite class of African rulers who would run the country, manage its wealth, and influence every election and law for generations.”
The essay, published online and widely shared on social media, paints a sobering picture of betrayal and inequality. It recounts how land redistribution after independence was structured in a way that favored the powerful — ministers and senior officials bought up prime land under the “willing buyer, willing seller” policy while ordinary Kenyans were left waiting.
Morara also critiques the enduring presence of political dynasties, highlighting how the descendants of early power brokers continue to dominate national affairs today. “It’s not just wealth that they inherited,” he notes. “They inherited the narrative, the memory, the spotlight.”
The reaction online has been swift and wide-ranging. Many Kenyans, especially youth, have praised the essay for saying what “has always been known but rarely spoken,” while others have accused Morara of stoking division and oversimplifying history.
“This is the most powerful piece of writing I’ve read in years,” tweeted one user. “Finally, someone said it: independence didn’t reach the ground.”
Political analysts say the essay taps into a growing frustration among citizens who feel that decades after independence, the promises of equality and opportunity remain unfulfilled.
“This is not just a piece of writing — it’s a mirror,” said Dr. Emily Nyang’aya, a political sociologist based in Nairobi. “It reflects a national discontent that’s been building over years, particularly among youth who are locked out of wealth and power.”
The essay also hints at a shift in public consciousness. Morara concludes by noting how social media, independent journalism, and youth activism are beginning to challenge elite dominance. “A younger generation is asking harder questions,” he writes. “They don’t just want promises. They want accountability.”
As Kenya grapples with economic pressures, political mistrust, and rising youth unemployment, The Quiet Empire has struck a nerve — reviving conversations about equity, memory, and the unfinished work of liberation.
Whether it will spark meaningful change or simply join the long list of critiques that fade with the news cycle remains to be seen. But for now, Beckham Morara has forced the nation to confront a difficult question: Whose independence was it, really?
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