Imagine it: A government official in Africa goes out to pay a visit to the headquarters of a company. The company's managers pile up freebies for the official, gifts and extras and the usual pocket-lining tribute that has come to accompany power across the continent.
But a funny thing happens on the way to business as usual. The government official not only chooses not to accept the booty, but rather condemns its offer, wondering how the company can address economic hardship while giving out such gifts.
Fever dream? No. It happened recently when Kenya's Agriculture minister William Ruto paid a visit to Nzoia Sugar Company. Now imagine if all of Africa's leaders behaved thusly. Imagine if tribute no longer became part of the process of seducing politicians to do their jobs. Imagine if stories of bribes and handouts no longer were commonplace, but rather served as cautionary tales of petty officials gone awry. Let a thousand flowers bloom from Williams Ruto's example.
