--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Little had changed after independence…" description: "\"“Little had changed after independence. Jomo Kenyatta’s face hung in a framed portrait in every shop where Queen Elizabeth’s had been. Some schools wer..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fca/paul-theroux-913_educated-people_little-had-changed-after-independence-jo_1387851.jpg" --- # Little had changed after independence. Jomo Kenyatta’s… ![“Little had changed after independence. Jomo Kenyatta’s face hung in a framed portrait in every shop where Queen Elizabeth’s had been. Some schools were built, some streets renamed. But educated people are a liability in a dictatorship: all the schools were underfunded, few of them succeeded. A…” quote by Paul Theroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fca/paul-theroux-913_educated-people_little-had-changed-after-independence-jo_1387851.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fca/paul-theroux-913_educated-people_little-had-changed-after-independence-jo_1387851.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fca/paul-theroux-913_educated-people_little-had-changed-after-independence-jo_1387851.jpg) > ““Little had changed after independence. Jomo Kenyatta’s face hung in a framed portrait in every shop where Queen Elizabeth’s had been. Some schools were built, some streets renamed. But educated people are a liability in a dictatorship: all the schools were underfunded, few of them succeeded. A great deal of foreign money was given to the government and most of it ended up in the pockets of politicians, some of whom were assassinated. It is almost impossible to exaggerate the fatness of corrupt African politicians.”” [Paul Theroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-theroux/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote critiques post‑independence Kenya, highlighting superficial changes, underfunded education, pervasive corruption, and the danger educated citizens pose to authoritarian regimes. **In simple terms:** Kenyan independence left deep corruption and neglected education, making educated people a threat to dictators. Key Takeaway Recognize that political reform must address corruption and invest in education. Themes politics corruption education post‑colonial authoritarianism Mood cynical critical somber Type analytical political historical When to use this quote - policy reform - NGO work - educational investment - anti‑corruption campaigns Key Concepts nepotism elite capture state failure Questions to Reflect On - How can citizens protect themselves from a corrupt state? - What role should international donors play? A Different Perspective Corruption can persist despite foreign aid and superficial reforms. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dictatorship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dictatorship/) [Educated people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/educated-people/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) ## Related quotes > [You can't build a revolution with no education. 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