Politick yes, but do not destroy Kenya

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President Uhuru Kenyatta shares a word with Deputy President William Ruto and Majority Leader in Parliament Aden Duale. Rebellion against the Jubilee government is brewing in the Rift Valley, Bomet governor Isaac Ruto warned on Monday. Photo\PSCU

 

In Summary

• Insecurity is at its worst, the economy is flagging, with its key components such as tourism, hurtling down the slide, inflation is rising, development programmes are stalling and political intolerance is creeping in.
• Most counties are dysfunctional due to conflicts between governors and Members of the County Assemblies, on the one hand, and the governors and the national government, on the other hand.

By Editorial
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The weekend promises intense political activities as Cord holds a grand rally at Uhuru Park, Nairobi, today to welcome its leader, Mr Raila Odinga, back home after a two-month tour of the United States.

And it comes on the eve of the Madaraka Day celebrations to be presided over by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

 

There are all indications that these two major events are bound to produce political fireworks. Cord’s main agenda is to demonstrate that the ruling Jubilee Coalition has failed to deliver on its pre-election pledges.

READ: Scare at Uhuru Park over unattended bag - PICTURES

Clearly, this has been the running theme in the rallies the opposition coalition has held in the past two weeks, which, unfortunately, have been characterised by stinging proclamations that stir up passions rather than offer solutions.

Cord appears to be seeking relevance after going into a slumber on losing last year’s elections. Granted, the rallies are intended to galvanise supporters and create the impression that the coalition is playing its rightful role as the watchdog that keeps the government in check.

For Jubilee, the Madaraka Day fete provides a platform to give an account of its performance in its first year in office. By and large, there is a feeling of paralysis that points to lack of effective leadership.

Insecurity is at its worst, the economy is flagging, with its key components such as tourism, hurtling down the slide, inflation is rising, development programmes are stalling and political intolerance is creeping in.

SENSE OF EXCLUSION

Moreover, there is a sense of exclusion and there are murmurs of leaflets circulating in some parts of Rift Valley, threatening to trigger ethnic conflicts — again.

Devolution was to change the country’s socio-economic and political configuration, but is recording mixed results. A year later, only a few counties have undergone visible transformation. Most of the funds disbursed to the counties have yet to be put to proper use to make a difference.

Most counties are dysfunctional due to conflicts between governors and Members of the County Assemblies, on the one hand, and the governors and the national government, on the other hand.

Two impeachments by MCAs have sent shivers down the spines of governors, undermining their ability to deliver on their election pledges. And the MCAs themselves have not done anything to write home about.

At the national level, the two houses of Parliament have not distinguished themselves in anyway. Debates are drab, parochial and insular and largely driven by selfish and party interests.

Jubilee and Cord have an obligation to provide leadership in addressing these national issues. Therefore, the meetings should not be used to settle political scores, but to offer guidance. People are tired of high-octane politics that is bereft of practical solutions.

We hope the police will provide adequate security for today’s rally, and the politicians will conduct themselves with decorum and avoid insults and hate speech and also dissuade their followers from engaging in violent acts.

Kenya is at a crossroads and requires focused and sober leadership to navigate the turbulent waters.