Digital Sycophancy.

We have had leadership cults for all of independent Kenya's existence. Mzee Jomo Kenyatta was venerated. Daniel arap Moi had his own sycophants who sang, literally, his praises. Mwai Kibaki had the Mt Kenya Mafia that did everything to keep him in power, especially in 2007/2008. Uhuru Kenyatta's legacy will be measured by history. Perhaps he will be lucky; I fear he will not because of the men and women who do his bidding or, more crucially, believe they are doing his bidding.

When Mr Kenyatta first took office, some of his most ardent supporters were still passionately campaigning for him. It is understandable that they couldn't let go of the sense of urgency that the campaign had engendered; perhaps they wanted to transfer this sense of urgency into the government over the first crucial hundred days so that the ardour of a new government was not dulled. An early indication of the overt sycophancy at that time was the directive by the Secretary to the Cabinet regarding the use of VIP lounges at Kenya's border points, such as the one at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

The Secretary to the Cabinet, whose previous job had been Head of the Civil Service, wanted to demonstrate his absolute loyalty to President Kenyatta by cutting Uhuru Kenyatta's election opponent down to size. He essentially ordered all civil servants in Kenya, including those serving at border points, not to show any "special attention" to the former Prime Minister, the former Vice-President and any former somebody who was associated with the opposition leader. But in a rather stupid act of ethnic loyalty, he directed that those favours he wished to deny the opposition leaders would be extended to former Presidents, who just happened to be from the same ethnic communities that the new President and Deputy President hailed from.

It is a pattern that has been repeated since that infamous event. Every time the President makes a statement, there is a cohort of men and women who do not care about the statement's legality, practicality or wisdom; they have made it their mission in life to ensure that Uhuru Kenyatta's every pronouncement is treated as Holy Writ. This is a terrible mistake, especially at a time when the President must oversee the most difficult constitutional reforms in a generation.

President Kenyatta, in his previous avatar as the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, was not known for suffering sycophants gladly. By all accounts, he preferred to be treated with respect, but not to the point where obeisance was the preferred manner of that respect. He was informal enough to take interruptions from "juniours" without it affecting the outcome he was seeking. In other words, Mr Kenyatta preferred that the procedures and principles of his ministry prevail over whether or not he was the senior-most civil servant in the room. Many expected that the men and women around him would have understood this when they were appointed to high positions in the government after his inauguration in 2013. It is terribly disappointing that KANU-style sycophancy is back with a bang.

Mr Kenyatta's government has done precious little to entrench principles, values and procedures in the firmament of the State. It is a cue that has been picked up by the public service in general. It is reported that Members of Parliament are dissatisfied with their perks; they want them enhanced, especially their security when they walk the twenty-five metres from the gates of Parliament to those of Continental House, where their offices are located. It is why few were surprised by the behaviour of the Deputy Chief Justice when she assaulted a security guard for not being properly deferential to her. It is why even Cabinet-level factotums insist on all their official titles, academic achievements and commendations are quoted in every letter addressed to them as well as have their portraits hung up besides that of the Head of State.

Where sycophancy was once solely directed at the Head of State, it has now become pervasive. We are all required to be as fawningly obsequious to our betters. We must pay obeisance to their greatness at all times. We must sing their praises at every opportunity. Whatever they want must be delivered. If we fail, it is not official opprobrium that we must expect, especially those of us who are known as "juniour staff". What happens is that suddenly a gatekeeper somewhere is unable to schedule a meeting, unless one has been summoned, or a clearance. Promotions are awarded after much extra scrutiny for fitness. Opportunities for additional allowances are  delayed or denied. One still has their job, but it is now a chore than a joy to do. If he does nothing to straighten out his senior officers, President Kenyatta will not be remembered fondly. Indeed, he is likely to be more reviled than Baba Moi without the chance for rehabilitation.