The
institution of the Presidency appears defiled. State House has become a den of
all vices bedeviling our country. Just like in the old Kanu days, it’s in State
house where the current President Uhuru Kenyatta, parades ethnic lords not to
discuss tangible plans for the greater good but to consolidate power.
Retrogressive
schemes are hatched in State House by the President and his deputy William
Ruto, to stifle our democratic tenets.
It’s only
in State House, where former governors like Isaac Ruto, Peter Munya, Moses
Akaranga, and former Speaker Kenneth Marende, former legislators Cyrus Jirongo,
Paul Otwoma, and senators Chris Obure and David Musila flock to, after
suffering political defeat in their backyards.
Lately, the
President’s tone and choice of words after the Supreme court nullified his
victory has reflected him as too angry, threatening and lacking decorum. Many Kenyans
feel like the wind of dictatorship is hitting our country just like what is
happening in Uganda.
The most
disturbing part is where the President and his henchmen have consistently
threatened the Judiciary; targeting Chief Justice David Maraga over last
month’s ruling. His anger on dissenters
(opposition) has been unprecedented.
Recently,
the chairman of Jubilee was quoted on Television telling the world that the country
can only get out the current melancholy, if President Uhuru became a benevolent
dictator. This confirmed our fears that Uhuru’s “tough talk” has a genesis.
How will Kenyans
gain from benevolent dictatorship apart from impeding the gains we have made as
democratic country? Does Murathe know that any form of dictatorship only
benefits those closer to the ruler (dictator)?
I would like to remind Kenyans
that Uhuru has enjoyed his 5 years of Presidency unperturbed. Nobody tried to
prevent him from realizing the promises he made to the voters in 2013.
It’s also
worthy to note that political commentator Mutahi Ngunyi, perceived as an
intellectual has also stooped too low to toot an ethnic trumpet in social media.
He has consistently reminded Uhuru to hit hard at the political opposition and
crush them completely.
Ngunyi,
leads in political sycophancy. He lacks objectivity in his social media biased
commentaries. If he is truly Uhuru’s friend, how can he advise him to do things
which are contrary to the law and democratic tenets?
Crushing
opposition leaders may mean detaining, assassinating, and depriving them off
their freedom. Ngunyi and Murathe’s irresponsible utterances were followed by
CS Fred Matiangi, withdrawing security from top opposition leaders.
Matiangi,
failed to tell the nation why security forces entered
university dormitories to terrorize innocent students but was quick to withdraw
security from senior leaders who have served the country diligently for many
years.
The National Super Alliance (Nasa) may not be an amalgam of
saints, the coalition is seen by many Kenyans as the epitome of hope for the
country. The leader of the coalition Raila Odinga has been steadfast,
consistent and courageous to point out government excesses as it affects the common
Mwananchi. He has done this in decades without faltering despite frustrations
from the ruling the elite.
While all hope is not lost, the future of Kenya looks bleak.
Our dreams have been shuttered by incompetence in leadership. The late Francis Imbuga, captures it so well in his play
Betrayal in the City by summing it up this way:
“It was better while we waited. Now we have nothing to look forward to. We have
killed our past and are busy killing our future.”
Exit the
foibles in the Uhuru leadership, enters others in the political spectrum. Take
for instance the youthful human rights practitioner-Senator Hassan Omar who
shifted gears from the Wiper Party.
Did Mr
Omar learn that Nasa under Raila was taking Kenyans nowhere when he lost the
Mombasa gubernatorial seat when he has been telling Kenyans that it’s the only
safeguard for equity, equality, social justice and human rights compared to
Jubilee?
What has
changed in Uhuru and Ruto, when just a month ago during the campaigns, the senator
branded them as purveyors of impunity and marginalization of the coastal
people?
Current
defections to the Jubilee party has spiraled. A notable figure who also
surprised many after switching gears is former MP for Budalangi Ababu Namwamba.
It’s still unclear what drove him to quit the Secretary General post in the ODM,
to join Jubilee only to suffer a devastating defeat as Budalangi MP in August.
What
drives these leaders to State House may not be the Jubilee party philosophy but
what Kenyans have come to call “tumbocracy,” or better known as pursuit of “the
self.”
They want
relevance, cash and jobs by betraying the parties they once supported A
reflection that they lack principals, character and integrity in their
leadership journey.
In sum, are these the type of leaders we expect to reform
Kenya? No wonder, we may take a Century to fully improve our political
leadership systems and processes.
It’s prudent therefore to conclude that, our politicians need
more civic education on the role of government t more than the citizens, if
what they do and say is something to go by.
