Give President William Ruto Credit where it's due

By Joseph Lister Nyaringo

  In any democracy, voters make decisions based on the promises candidates make during the campaigns. Like all new leaders in office the world over, President William Ruto, faces the challenge of managing expectations from Kenyans who voted for him in 2022.

After clocking one year in office, President Ruto, has managed to do great things for the Kenyan people even as he continues to guide the nation on how and when he will implement developmental initiatives as stipulated in his 2022 manifesto.

During last year’s presidential campaigns, Ruto’s rallying call was centred on lifting the standard of living for Kenyans in the lower economic pyramid if he became President. This campaign strand is what became popularly known as the “bottom-up” economic model.

Nevertheless, for a President with a five-year term in office, one year is not enough to gauge his performance. However, in Kenya’s politicized environment, it’s easy to decipher a few developmental programs Ruto, has put in place to realize his agenda for the nation.

Despite the numerous challenges facing Kenya, President Ruto’s scorecard has many positive reflections. A continuation of this trajectory will automatically bring about socio-economic transformation to the country under his presidency.

In the international scene, the Kenyan President is seen as focused, assertive, creative, and well-versed in geopolitics. Within a span of one year in office, the United States and Europe value Ruto as an emerging African leader with ideas which resonate well for Kenya and Africa, in the 21st Century.

Within one year of the Ruto presidency, Kenya has experienced unprecedented visits from many global leaders; depicting him as a key player in shaping the global economy, politics, diplomacy, climatic change, peacebuilding,  and fighting extremism.

By hosting the Global Summit on Climatic Change in Nairobi where over 12,000 delegates congregated, the President demonstrated his capacity to promote intra-Africa linkages with Western powers to enhance trade, investment, education, and technology.  

On matters of Diaspora, Kenyans living abroad are buoyant about the creation of the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs. They believe that the Ministry will streamline the aspirations of the Diaspora as well as address their predicaments. It must be remembered that the Kenyan Diaspora plays an immense role in economic development through remittances, direct investment, and philanthropy.  

The current government has scored highly on expanding Information Communication Technology (ICT) which is headed by Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Eliud Owalo. The recent opening of Open University of Kenya (OUK) by President Ruto, is a silver bullet in technological advancement. Kenya is now in the league of other nations with full-fledged virtual learning. Besides, this first virtual learning institution in the country will promote Konza Technopolis.

The President’s recent visit to Silicon Valley in California, US to lure American technology companies to invest in Kenya is salutary in the promotion of Silicon Savannah, which is Kenya’s emerging technology hub.

By consolidating 5,000 government services to a single-pay bill number, the current government killed two birds using one stone…This concept will cut government costs, combat fraud, and enhance efficiency and accountability when conducting government-public transactions.  

Let us give credit where it’s due. President Ruto’s CS for information and communication and digital economy, Eliud Owalo, has aggressively done a commendable job of digitalizing the country. The pilot program of installing free WiFi connections in market centres to benefit the general public is a masterstroke to boost communication and enable Kenyan youth to access online opportunities free of charge.

The area that Ruto’s government must focus on is putting systems in place to conduct government meetings virtually to cut costs. Critics say the recent meetings held in Kakamega and Sagana State lodges were not cost-effective.

Even the annual devolution symposium held two months ago in Eldoret should have accommodated only a lean number of delegates and have the majority of participants from the County and National government attend the meeting virtually.  

President Ruto has carried himself with a soft demeanour. He is more versatile, and his responses are more measured and statesmanly. Despite talking tough on the fight against graft i.e., sugar cartels, and hitting at the political opposition, Ruto doesn’t sound abrasive like he used to when he was deputy President.

By ignoring the narrative purveyed by his deputy Rigati Gachagua, of comparing the Kenyan government to “a shareholding company,” Ruto has demonstrated visionary leadership if his words during a tour of Luo Nyanza are something to go by.

On the other hand, by supporting bipartisan talks headed by Kikuyu member of Parliament Kimani Ichungwa and former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, the President has helped to scale down high-voltage politics. The sum total of this is enhancing unity, peace, and cohesiveness in the country.

Despite his tax model attracting a lot of condemnation, what Kenyans must remember is that all is not rosy even in the developed world. For instance, having been in Kenya for over sixteen months, my return to the United States two weeks ago surprised me.

Kenya is not alone on the impact of high inflation…The Americans are crying too. The cost of food has spiked by almost 14%. A bottle of Pepsi Cola which used to cost $1.50, now goes for  $3.70. The prices of other basic items like sugar, bread, eggs, and meat have increased tremendously.

In the fight against graft, the purge in the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) over Kshs. 3.7 billion mosquito net deal by the President is laudable. He fired Public Health permanent Secretary Dr Josephine Mburu.

A similar purge happened in the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) over the dirty sugar scandal where Managing Director Bernard Njiraini and Director of Quality Assurance Dr Geoffrey Muriira lost their jobs. This demonstrates the President's commitment to fighting corruption which is a big impediment towards economic development.

According to Professor Charles Choti of Washington DC, fertilizer subsidies provided to farmers by the Ruto government have not only provided farmers with financial relief but have also boosted the farmers’ morale. This will in turn ensure a steady supply of food for the nation.

Professor Choti further argues that extending government subsidies to farmers is one way of reducing unemployment in the country since many Kenyans tarmacking for unavailable jobs will embark on farming to earn a livelihood.

While the Ruto administration has done well to support farmers with fertilizers, it is high time his government looked into the concept of supporting farmers with insurance to mitigate risks and uncertainties, especially livestock keepers in pastoralist communities.

The Ministry of Trade should take the lead in helping farmers with product marketing as well as supporting farmers in semi-arid regions to construct boreholes and artificial dams to help with irrigation and watering the animals.

Lister Nyaringo, is the President of Kenya Patriotic Movement, a Diaspora lobby based in the US

 

Diplomacy: Hardline positions will worsen the Israel-Palestinian conflict

By Joseph Lister Nyaringo

The League of Nations failed to live up to its mandate, 20 years after inception paving the way for the formation of the United Nations as a replacement. Whether the UN has lived up to its founding charter of maintaining international peace and security based on mutual respect of nations and the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, remains to be seen.

Seven decades down the road, the UN has not done enough to scale down global conflicts. In the more recent past, we've seen wars in the Gulf, Bosnia, Somalia, Yemen, and Syria, political coups mostly in former French Colonies in Africa, and civil strife in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Sudan.

The most recent is the Russian invasion of Ukraine whose war is still on and the Hamas extremist attack in Israel last week where over a thousand civilians were killed and over a hundred were held as hostages.

The World is currently in turmoil. The major UN organs- the Security Council, General Assembly, International Court of Justice, and the trusteeship Council have not done enough to mitigate the situation.

The Russian President, Vladmir Putin is involved in a senseless war with Ukraine where innocent lives have been lost and the country’s infrastructure destroyed. The United States of America which is a superpower housing the UN has failed to be a neutral arbiter on global instabilities.

In the Middle East, former US President Bill Clinton almost realized peace between Israelis and Palestinians in the early 1990s. However, his efforts were thwarted when Israel extremists neutered the Oslo Accord by assassinating former Israel Prime Minister Yizhak Rabin.

The accord was the clearest pathway towards a two-state solution between Israelis and Palestinians.

Islamic extremists are having a field day if the recent attack in Israel by Hamas is something to go by. The killing of almost a thousand Israelis and taking over a hundred hostages has sent shockwaves throughout the world on the future of peace in the Middle East.

No nation, global body, religious organization, or individual has shown or come up with any profound idea on how to resolve the Israel and Palestinian conflict.  

As the world grapples with two wars-Russia versus Ukraine and Israel versus Hamas in Palestine, maybe the world should think of forming a different global conglomeration to address global peace and security since the UN has failed.

The UN has failed either due to violation of its core mandate by member states or because of the rigidity of its leadership from conforming to new trends in diplomacy and peacebuilding. For instance, Israel has unilaterally violated the UN  mandate several times without any consequences.

Russia, which is a permanent member of the UN, with veto powers, is involved in an illegal invasion of Ukraine which is a sovereign nation. Other member states are mute about this. Even nations with veto powers like the US, China, France, and the United Kingdom have not done enough to address the root cause of the Russian armies in Ukraine.

There is no reason why leaders from 193 nations should congregate in New York just to make good speeches with recommendations which are never implemented. 

Tooth for tooth, and an eye for an eye, will make two warring parties blind. The current conflict in the Middle East can critically be seen to be between irrationality and insanity-Hamas, and rationality and sanity-Israel. The Palestinian extremist group, Hamas is like a deranged person while Israel represents a normal person.

My point therefore is this, Hamas feels justified to inflict pain on Israel based on decades of territorial differences and Israel feels justified to retaliate over the infliction. Therefore, Israel should take a more reasonable path to resolve the crisis and not act like the ragtag Hamas extremists who have no clear foundational leadership.  

On the global scene, Ukrainians, Palestinians, and Israelis are all crying. In Africa, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and in West Africa, Francophone States are going through coup detats. In all the said conflicts, the sum total is human suffering.

The proliferation of weapons has spiralled global conflicts. If Hamas didn’t have weapons, they would not have the temerity to break into Israel to kill and kidnap innocent civilians. Israel, with its military might swung into action to retaliate the Hamas attack. Perhaps if they didn’t have weapons, they could’ve reverted to diplomacy as a pathway to peace.

Extremism or the show of military might cannot solve the Palestinian and Israelis crisis. What is required is sobriety centred on the pathway to peace.

Partisanship from the global community on the conflict continues to bedevil the peace process. For instance, there is no reason for the US to openly support aggrieved Israel if indeed they believe in brokering peace in the region.

Furthermore, sending an aircraft carrier to the Mediterranean Sea as well as its chief diplomat Antony Blinken to Israel at the height of the Israel bombardment in Gaza is not a well-thought-out idea. This is fueling the crisis into a full-fledged war.

Instead of sending military gear to support Israel, the US should utilize former President Bill Clinton’s diplomatic prowess to help the region work towards the path to peace.

It must be remembered that two decades ago, Clinton carried out a mission that saved the minority Albanians from Serbia under the late Slobodan Milosevic. On the other hand, the former President is remembered for brokering the Oslo Accord which was the best angle closer to realizing peace between Palestinians and Israelis.

Prime Netanyahu should have the wherewithal to revert to the Oslo Accord of 1993, where the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) leader Yasser Arafat, and Israeli Prime Minister Yizhak Rabin struck a deal for peace.

As the longest serving Israel premier, Netanyahu should focus on his legacy by building clear avenues to leave a peaceful Israel and not the number of bombs the Israel army will rain in Gaza and the number of Hamas rebels who will be killed in the operation.

It must be remembered that extremism is not a preserve of Muslim Palestinians alone. It's also an Israelis challenge. The ultranationalist who assassinated Rabin during a rally held in support of the Oslo Accord in 1995 was not a Muslim but a Jew.

Hardline positions from both sides are likely to worsen the crisis. It will also embolden internal and external extremist groups like Isis, Al-Qaeda, Alshabaab etc. who are hell-bent on causing more havoc to humanity.

If the conflict is not contained, it may spiral to other volatile nations in the region like Syria, and Lebanon. Who knows, as the global community takes sides in the conflict, it may explode into another world war as countries like Russia, Iran, China, France, Britain, etc. have already taken sides.

This is a time for powerful nations to show leadership by encouraging negotiation for a truce, the release of hostages, secession of Israel bombing, allowing humanitarian relief to Gaza, and urging Israel to apply international humanitarian law to protect innocent civilians. 

Nyaringo is the President of the Kenya patriotic movement, a diaspora lobby based in the US

 

 

President Ruto’s one-year scorecard, and major areas of concern

 By Joseph Lister Nyaringo

President William Ruto, has clocked one year since he took power from retired President Uhuru Kenyatta. His presidency has been compounded with curiosity, interest, regrets, and skepticism at home and abroad.

In the international scene, the Kenyan President is seen as a focused leader whose ideas resonate well for Kenya and Africa, in the 21^st Century. The positivity of the United States, European Union, and even Russia towards any leader especially from the developing world is a boon for direct investment, and the tourism sector in that country.

By hosting the global summit on climatic change recently where over 12,000 delegates congregated in Nairobi, Ruto, has shown the capacity to promote intra-Africa linkages with Western powers to enhance trade, investment, education, and technology.

On matters of Kenyan Diaspora, those living abroad are optimistic that the CS for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Dr. Alfred Mutua, will streamline the Ministry to ensure that the aspirations, and predicaments of the Diaspora are addressed given their immense role in economic development through remittances, direct investment and philanthropy.  

The major misgiving to the Ruto administration is its failure to appoint a Diaspora to head the docket held by Dr. Mutua. They are optimistic that President Ruto will consider the Diaspora in the impending ambassadorial appointments by virtue of their experience and exposure to the global scene.

The current government has scored highly on expanding Information Communication Technology (ICT) which is headed by CS Dr. Eliud Owalo. The recent opening of the Open University of Kenya (OUK) by President Ruto, is a silver bullet in technological advancement. Kenya is now in the league of other nations with full-fledged virtual learning. Besides, it will promote Konza technopolis.

The recent visit to Silicon Valley by President Ruto to lure American technology companies to Kenya is a step in the right direction. This will promote Silicon Savannah, which is Kenya’s emerging technology hub.

The consolidation of 5,000 government services to a single-pay bill number is another area the Kenya Kwanza administration has scored highly. This concept will cut costs, reduce fraud, and enhance efficiency, and accountability in government transactions with the general public.

Let us give credit where it’s due. CS Owalo, who is in charge of the Information, Communications, and digital economy docket, has aggressively done a commendable job to digitalize the country. The pilot program in installing free WiFi connections in market centers to benefit the general public is a masterstroke to boost communication as well as enable the youth to access online opportunities free of charge.

Areas of concern

President William Ruto has carried himself with a soft demeanour. He is more versatile. His responses are more measured and statesmanly. Despite talking tough on the fight against graft i.e. sugar cartels, and hitting at the political opposition, Ruto doesn’t sound abrasive like he used to when he was deputy President.

The President’s micro-management style, although a boost towards efficiency in service delivery impairs creativity, openness, and independence in decision-making. Government officials fear giving their all. There is perpetual fear by government officials in initiating policy ideas for improvement. This is because of the fear of contradicting the president.

 

The President’s deputy, Rigati Gachagua, often portrays the government in a bad light. He evokes an ethnic narrative that reflects him badly before the eyes of the public and the office he holds. By consistently referring to the government as a share-holding company is completely out of step. It’s against the spirit of unity, cohesiveness, and inclusivity. This may sound comical but it paints a negative picture in the eyes of the public who perceive the government as a body serving all Kenyans by providing opportunities based on equality, equity, fairness, professionalism, and meritocracy. 

Momanyi Juma, from Minnesota USA, has this to say about Kenya’s deputy President: “How can the second most powerful man in Kenya publicly make perpetual negative pronouncements without the knowledge of his boss? The sum total of such talk will convince people to believe that it’s the President who sanctions what the DP says in public.”

There is growing concern from the political opposition that the Kenya Kwanza government doesn’t respect the separation of powers as a principle of governance. Meddling into the affairs of the Judiciary and legislature by the Executive has been rampant since President Ruto became President.

Currently, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is embroiled in a tussle with a section of legislators elected on the party ticket who are accused of advancing the agenda of the President’s political party-United Democratic Alliance (UDA). The ODM leadership accuses the government of poaching legislators which they argue if not stopped will impair multiparty democracy in the country.  

It’s in the public domain that immediately after the current President came to power, numerous cases of individuals who were alleged to have been involved in corruption and other criminal acts were dropped by the Director of Public Prosecution without proper explanation. This has raised a red flag on the government’s commitment to judicial independence.

As the poor economy continues to bite, there is growing concern from Kenyans about wasteful spending by the government on local and foreign trips as well as recurrent government meetings.

There is no reason why we have an able CS for ICT but fail to conduct government meetings virtually to cut costs! The recent meetings held in Kakamega and Sagana State lodges weren’t cost-effective. Even the annual devolution symposium held in Eldoret recently could have accommodated a lean number of delegates but have most county and national government officials attend virtually.  

On cohesiveness and inclusivity, the government has scored poorly in the last year. As a multi-ethnic society, we expected government appointments to reflect the face of Kenya.

President Ruto should not sit pretty when a recent dossier by Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Acting Commissioner Risper Simiyu, disclosed that more than half of the jobs for service assistants  in the tax body went to two communities- that of the President and his deputy.  This is against the spirit of fairness and inclusivity and a clear perpetuation of nepotism and cronyism.

As Kenyans grapple with the hard economy and the spike in petroleum prices, we need to begin questioning whether as a country; we have utilized our natural resources effectively to reap maximum benefits.

The Cabinet Secretary of Energy and Petroleum, Salim Mvurya, should come in the open and tell the country what his Ministry is doing about the Oil deposits in Turkana. The last we know is that drilling was going on by the Tullow Oil Company which eventually came to a halt. It must be remembered that countries with Oil resources do not experience higher petroleum prices like the case in Kenya.

State of the economy under Ruto

The Kenyan economy is on a deathbed. The public debt, unemployment, and high inflation continue to grind the country. Kenyans in the low-income bracket are the most pinched.

President Ruto is facing an avalanche of criticism on his tax policies which are viewed as unfriendly to people at the bottom of the economic pyramid. They are gnashing their teeth after the enactment of the Finance Act 2023 pushing VAT for fuel from 8% to 16%.   

The funding of higher education is another thorny issue. It’s not well defined as Parents, students, and even educators are in limbo on how to administer the fund to qualifying students.  

Graduands are no longer celebrating their graduation since what awaits them is hollow. Nevertheless, Nyayo house is flooded with passport applicants wanting to leave the country as “economic refugees.” The Interior CS, Dr Kithure Kindiki, can attest to this if the stampede for passport applications in Nyayo House is something to go by.

The major lingering question to critics and ardent supporters of President Ruto, is this: Did he exaggerate the promises that he made to Kenyans during the campaigns or he needs more time to streamline things?

Lister Nyaringo, is the President of Kenya Patriotic Movement, a Diaspora lobby based in the US

Jaswant Rai’s sins cannot dent the image of all Kenyan Asians

By Joseph Lister Nyaringo

Members of the Asian community, of which the vast majority is of Indian descent continue to play a pivotal role in the socio economic development of Kenya six decades after the country attained independence.

One is likely to find Indians in big and small urban centres where they control small and medium-sized commercial enterprises. The Indian people in Kenya rarely scramble to get employed. They focus on businesses with high chances of success. Others are engaged in running schools, hospitals, publishing, and charities.

It’s worth remembering that Indians endured dehumanizing labour conditions from the British colonialists during the construction of the Kenya Uganda railway in late 1800. This propelled the country’s vitality for trade in East Africa.

Constructing the railway stretching from Mombasa to Uganda wasn’t easy. The Indians were often called pejorative names with a connotation of slavery “coolies” by British masters. On the other hand, the human-wildlife conflict, man-eaters of Tsavo, and resistance from local communities like Maasais and Nandis took a toll on Indian constructors, whereby many lost their lives.

On a personal level, I wouldn't be where I’m today if it were not for the superb management skills of Mr. Suresh Shah, an Indian and the former managing director of the defunct Uchumi Supermarkets. The company offered me a job where I was able to navigate room for my dreams in life. Many Kenyans have shaped their destiny through members of Asian descent.

Uchumi Supermarkets hit the pinnacle as its share index soared in the former Nairobi Stock Exchange, currently the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE). When Shah left, his predecessor Mr. Titus Mugo, sunk the company. It went on receivership in 2006 making it one of the biggest corporate misfortunes in the country. Many attempts by the government and shareholders to revive Uchumi came to a halt. I wonder why Uchumi was doing well when an Indian was at the apex.

The commitment by Indians to fight for the country before and after independence puts them in a class of true heroes who love Kenya with a passion. They should be treated with utmost respect. Personalities like the late Makhan Singh, and Pio Gama Pinto deserve accolades for joining other Kenyan nationalists to fight for liberation from British rule.

Makhan, was a trade unionist who closely worked with the Mau Mau rebels while Pinto even became more critical to the excesses of Kenya’s first President, Jomo Kenyatta, and was assassinated three years after independence.

This clearly demonstrates the reason why Asians born and naturalized in Kenya should enjoy every right just like any other Kenyan community. It wasn’t for nothing that retired President Uhuru Kenyatta officially recognized the Asian community as the 44th tribe in 2017.

When President Ruto made a terse statement singling out Jaswant Rai, in the fight against graft, it reverberated to Kenyans in different ways.

I’m sure the President didn’t mean any harm to Asians, especially those who call Kenya their home. However, what echoed in the minds of many Kenyans, especially the majority of the Asian community, is that Ruto, was indeed orchestrating a plan to jail, deport or send any corrupt members of the Asian community to their “maker.”

The President’s sentiments were repeated by the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli while addressing mourners in Vihiga. This added insult to injury as critics of Atwoli, opine that since majority of COTU members are employed by Asian businesspeople, he should go slow in criticizing Indian investors.

The Rai controversy in the sugar sector and President Ruto’s stern warning has brought to the fore a hot debate about Asians and their business dealings.

Just like Kenyans in the Diaspora, Asians migrated to the country and found a conducive atmosphere to pursue their dreams. Majority ventured into business and it became a huge success. That’s why they control huge commercial enterprises which are a boon to the country’s exchequer.

Others Asians have ventured into politics like Dr Swarup Mishra, former Kesses MP, Shakeel Shabir of Kisumu town, Nyaribari Chache’s Jhanda Zaheer, and Rahim Dawood of North Imenti.

This shows that Kenya is a multicultural society where citizens respect and accommodate diversity. It also demonstrates that any human being irrespective of race, creed, or geographical origin can succeed in the country.

We want to be viewed as a country that embraces diversity, multiculturalism, social and economic cohesion. This does not mean that those who break the law should be left to go scot-free.

Despite the circus of Rai, in the sugar sector, not all Asian entrepreneurs are corrupt. Let the government of President Ruto go for all the rotten apples irrespective of their tribal leanings. We can’t afford to be perceived as a country advancing the late Idi Amin’s agenda which expelled Asians from Uganda and the consequences were so dire to the country’s economy.

We understand the President’s frustration about what bedevils Mumias Sugar Company and the many attempts the government has made to revive it. Furthermore, it’s within his right to warn lawbreakers about the likely consequences of their actions. However, the deportation and sending the corrupt to “heaven” didn’t go down well with many Kenyans.

There are those who hold the view that the President was being one-sided since there are many unresolved corrupt scandals touching key personalities in the country. They see unfairness in the way he reflected Asians from a negative prism.  

For instance, in his native Uasin Gishu County, a former governor is embroiled in an education airlift to Finland where parents lost millions of Kenyan shillings, yet the alleged leader is serving in the Senate.

We can’t sidestep mentioning members of the Asian community who have made an indelible mark in manufacturing, industry, philanthropy, and even education. The late Naushad Merali, of the Sameer group, with a net worth of Kshs 90 billion tops the list of Asian tycoons in Kenya. His company is a huge employer of many Kenyans.

Others like Manu Chandaria, and Vimal Shah of Comcraft group and Bidco Oil Refineries respectively are prolific businessmen whose companies employ hundreds of Kenyans. On the other hand, Chandaria is a great philanthropist who has used his personal wealth to transform many Kenyan lives.

The corruption perpetuated by native Kenyans is as bad as corruption by foreigners or naturalized Kenyans. The fight against this vice requires broad lenses. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a Whiteman, Asian, Kikuyu, or Kisii involved in corruption… The law has to take precedence to ensure fairness and justice in the process.

President Ruto, is on the steering wheel. He has every right to introduce any system that he deems necessary to fight endemic corruption in the country.

Prof. Charles Choti, a Kenyan living in Washington DC made this observation about Ruto’s aggressive approach in the fight against graft, “If the President’s comment about Jaswant Rai, can scare the corrupt to stop the vice, so be it. Even if he goes ahead to rally our legislators to introduce the death penalty to all convicts of corruption, like what the Chinese do, that will be the best deterrence mechanism in the fight against corruption.   

Majority of Kenyans want to see heads rolling. The president’s move to have the corrupt face justice in KEMSA and KEBS needs to be lauded by all. However, I’m afraid about his hard-hitting statement on Mr. Rai. I hope it will not scare Asians to exit Kenya or transfer their investment to other countries which will impair the livelihoods of many families.

Nyaringo, is the President of Kenya Patriotic Movement, a Diaspora lobby based in the US

President Ruto needs to do more for Kenyan Diaspora

President Ruto needs to do more for Kenyan Diaspora

By Joseph Lister Nyaringo

The significant contribution made by Kenyans living abroad to spur the country’s economy is a glaring fact that cannot be whitewashed. According to the latest Central Bank of Kenya data, the Diaspora remitted Kshs. 48.1 billion in March 2023.

This posted an increase of 16% growth from Kshs. 41.7 billion were reported in the previous month. Kenyans domiciled in the US accounted for 58%; making the country the highest source of remittances to Kenya.

This demonstration gives the Diaspora a vantage position as one of the key tentacles of Kenya’s economic development. Therefore, to be accorded opportunities or recognition by any existing Kenyan government is a right, and not a privilege.

Many African governments are tapping their Diaspora for nation-building as well as putting up mechanisms that enhance their welfare. It’s regrettable that the Kenyan Diaspora is given a raw deal by the government. This is either due to negligence, or failure to recognize or respect the immense role the external constituency plays to boost development in the country.  

The announcement by President William Ruto on the government’s plan to make deductions out of Diaspora remittances towards the Housing Fund has added insult to injury. If this is not a form of double taxation, then it lacks a better name.

It must be observed that during last year’s Presidential campaigns, President Ruto Made a raft of promises to the Diaspora which catapulted his support base thereby surpassing the Orange Democratic Movement-ODM leader Raila Odinga, who for many years held the Diaspora as his bastion.

The creation of the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs currently headed by Dr. Alfred Mutua is laudable. However, the Diaspora expected the docket to be headed by one of their own as promised by Ruto during the campaigns --- a trend similar to Israel and India. 

A section of the Diaspora especially in the United States has expressed their misgivings on the choice of Dr. Mutua to head a sensitive docket. They say Mutua is aloof, detached and eccentric. His persona disqualifies him as Kenya’s chief diplomat.

“After interacting with Mutua, during a recent visit to the US, I discovered that he is grossly opinionated, off and an introvert. He lacks the charm often exhibited by his boss-President Ruto when engaging Kenyans at home and abroad. We want a CS who values the opinions of others.” Says Cosmas Choi, the UDA Social Media influencer in the US.

If President Ruto’s government cared about competency in public service, there is no way he could’ve appointed honourable Aisha Jumwa to a Ministerial docket. Rewarding political loyalty by compromising professionalism is a poor way to develop a nation.

After acknowledging in State House recently that some of the senior officers in his government are incompetent, we expect the President to take the lead and prune incompetent State officers. He should have them replaced to pave the way for meritocracy and professionalism in government.

Dr. Frankline Onchiri, currently based in the US, had this to say: “We love our country and we would want to apply our knowledge and skills to serve. However, it demeans the utility of specialized skills when people with mediocre education, earn Kshs. 1 million (USD 10,000) per month while doctors who have spent many years in lecture halls are locked up for demandingfair remuneration.”

We have great doctors, engineers, modern technology gurus, economists et cetera currently working abroad. The country desperately needs their service. We are tired of going to India and Europe for medical treatment. We are tired of employing the Chinese to build our roads and even bring in Cuban doctors to serve in our hospitals.

While the West is aggressive in admitting immigrants with diverse skills, Kenya is aggressively disincentivizing its professionals. The influx of Kenyan medics to the Western Hemisphere for greener pastures is quite alarming. Brain drain is killing Kenya.

A government that rewards mediocrity makes its society remain stagnant. Furthermore, if the same government fails to acknowledge its best brains, it fails in politics, in leadership, the economy, education, and research.

President Ruto who is barely one year in office should honour the promises he made to the Diaspora. Whilst the views expressed here are geared towards Diaspora interests, qualified Kenyans at the home front should equally be considered for jobs. After all, we want a country that respects meritocracy, professionalism, and inclusivity in public affairs.

If the government fails to utilize the knowledge and skills acquired by the Diaspora abroad to boost Kenya, it will end up benefiting the regions where these Kenyans are domiciled.

Despite some African governments pushing for mechanisms that perpetuate Diaspora interests, the Kenyan situation isn’t promising at all.

It is noteworthy that the 2010 Constitution provides safeguards for the Diaspora to vote. However, the governments of the late President Kibaki, and retired President Uhuru Kenyatta and the electoral body have not done enough in this digital age to make this “right” a full-fledged democratic undertaking.

In 2014, while addressing Kenyans in New York City, former President Kenyatta authorized the government to allow Kenyans in the Diaspora import vehicles duty-free. Indeed, this was a sigh of relief to many. Discouragingly, no follow-up was made; no mechanism was put in place by the Kenya Revenue Authority- KRA to implement this promise that could have benefitted the Diaspora.

It’s high time politicians stopped using the Diaspora during the campaigns only to dump them after elections.

Ms Hellen Onyango from Pennsylvania poses this question: “Why should we host political leaders in beautiful town halls, book them in expensive hotels and even shower them with gifts but, before landing in Kenya, they’ve forgotten everything they promised.”

The Diaspora has seen it all. The leaders they host will barely remember them or even recognize their faces when they visit their offices in Kenya.

During the Presidential campaigns, President Ruto scored highly for coming up with a raft of proposals to enhance Diaspora interests. This is despite being viewed as “a Johnny comes lately” as far as Diaspora affairs are concerned compared to his opponent in the Azimio coalition-Raila Odinga, whose support in the Diaspora has been steady for more than a decade

The Kenyan Diaspora in the US did their best during the Ruto campaign. From Boston, Massachusetts, to Atlanta, Georgia, to Washington DC, they burnt the midnight oil to mobilize resources and craft a winning strategy for the Kenya Kwanza coalition.

Some members of the Kenyan Diaspora view Ruto’s robust approach as a break from the past leadership as far as managing the affairs of the country is concerned.

A Kenyan scholar from Washington DC who is also a friend of Ruto, Prof Charles Choti, believes that the President’s agenda for Kenya is superb. If implemented effectively, it will transform the country. Dr. Choti, is hopeful that there is a likelihood of the current leadership positioning Kenya to the level of the Asian Tigers.

On criticism about skewed government appointments in the civil service, Dr. Choti observes that merit and professionalism should suffice or take precedence. He opines that the president enjoys the prerogative to pick the team he can easily work with to actualize his agenda.  

All hope is not lost. The Diaspora yearns to feature in all segments of representation- Cabinet, parastatal, academia, diplomatic corps, and other critical positions to enhance inclusivity and the ultimate success of our nation.  This is a sure way to appreciate the unsurpassed contribution of the external constituency. 

Nyaringo is the president of the Kenya Patriotic Movement, a Diaspora lobby based in the US

 

The US ambassador to Kenya needs to be impartial to the country’s politics

By Joseph Lister Nyaringo

A diplomat representing the most powerful nation on earth isn’t just an ordinary individual. What she says or the position she takes carries a lot of weight and meaning.

In international diplomacy, neutrality, and impartiality are key ingredients. This is for the purpose of ensuring fairness and balance to avert social and political conflicts, civil strife, violence, or general misunderstanding between two countries or parties.

No society can resolve its challenges without applying diplomacy. Effective diplomacy, therefore, grants warring parties the solid foundation to negotiate through openness to get out of a stalemate.

There is no country in the globe that has tried to influence many nations with its cultural philosophies in many facets like the United States of America. It’s always at the frontline on human rights, fair economic policies, better political leadership, good governance, and protecting the vulnerable.

Ambassador Margaret Cushing Whitman, who is the 17^th US ambassador to Kenya, suffered a blow last week from the Azimio Coalition leader Raila Odinga. The opposition leader warned her to keep off Kenya’s internal affairs.

This happened in Uasin Gishu County, Eldoret while addressing the 10^th devolution symposium. The Ambassador had earlier on made a comment about last year’s presidential election which sounded unsavoury to the Azimio Coalition.

Kenya is still divided, after last year’s election. That’s why the Church and the International community rooted for bipartisan talks to restore tranquility by stopping demonstrations that culminated in the loss of innocent lives under the brutal force of the police.

The country has been torn asunder between the ruling Kenya Kwanza Coalition led by President William Ruto and the Azimio Coalition, led by Odinga. Supporters of Odinga, believe that President Ruto didn’t fairly win the Presidency last year.

Therefore the US ambassador’s declaration in Eldoret that last year’s presidential election was the fairest in the country is a slap on the faces of those who don’t believe so.

Azimio further argues that the US Ambassador has taken a partisan position on an emotive issue, which is likely to polarize the country, reflect the opposition in a bad light before the world and even jeopardize the ongoing bipartisan talks.

It must be remembered that the United States is not like any ordinary country. When her diplomat speaks, she represents the country’s power, and position. When the Ambassador speaks, it’s the US President Joe Biden, speaking.

To safeguard proper diplomacy, the Ambassador should act as a neutral arbiter and be impartial in her public pronouncements. Like some of her predecessors, she should invoke good governance, justice, freedom, and respect for human rights, and above all, reflect the true spirit of the US in Kenya.

Ambassador Whitman should be the last person to whitewash the reasons why Kenyans demonstrated recently against the current government.

The World hasn’t forgotten how former President Donald Trump, paralyzed the US capitol through an illegal insurrection.

I would like to challenge the US Ambassador to tell Kenyans if the Washington DC police senselessly gunned down demonstrators who raided the US capitol following the Presidential election outcome which President Biden won.

The World saw. Despite some violent protestors, law enforcement in DC handled protestors with humanity and professionalism. This is what we expect the ambassador to tell President William Ruto and his Interior Cabinet Secretary who is in charge of Security, Professor Kithure Kindiki.

Ambassador Whitman has a rich resume in public life. As a corporate guru and member of the Republican Party, she is a moderate who detests racism, xenophobia, and dictatorship. That’s why she broke away from her party and supported Hillary Clinton (a Democrat) for the Presidency against her party candidate, Donald Trump. In fact, she compared former President Trump as a candidate to Adolf Hitler.

This is a clear demonstration that the Ambassador values social justice and hates dictatorship.

The Nairobi diplomatic post is a high-voltage station for the US. As a key post in the Horn of Africa, and given the political tension and insecurity in the region, it requires a career diplomat who is well-versed in geopolitics, conflict resolution, peacebuilding, and nurturing cohesiveness in a polarized political environment.

In retrospect, just like Ambassador Whitman, her predecessor Kyle MacCarter was a political appointee with no diplomatic experience. One wonders why in the last decade, the US has been posting ambassadors to Kenya who are not career diplomats.

Aggressive Ambassadors

Diplomats from advanced democracies have over the years openly supported Kenya’s struggle for democracy, social justice, and good governance. A couple of them fought alongside Kenyans for the re-introduction of multiparty politics in 1991.

The big question for Ambassador Whitman is this: Why not take a firm position like the 9^th US ambassador to Kenya, Smith Hempstone who took no prisoners during the reign of the late President Daniel Moi?

The government excesses that Hempstone confronted like dictatorship, injustice, corruption, and looting are still at a crescendo.

The country desperately needs a US diplomat who will take the bull by the horns voraciously by challenging the status quo. Kenyans miss former British ambassador Sir Edward Clay of “vomiting on our shoes” fame and former German Ambassador, Berndt Mutzelburg. The Three never spared the “big fish.”

The US is Kenya’s big brother in the West. During the clamour for multiparty democracy in 1990, Ambassador Hempstone teamed with his German counterpart-Mutzelburg to openly support the “young Turks” like James Orengo, Paul Muite, Raila Odinga, Gitobu Imanyara, etc. to fight for political pluralism.

US Investment

The majority of Kenyans at home and abroad are comfortable seeing the US helping Kenya to nurture good governance and economic prosperity. They view President Ruto’s leanings towards Western powers as a positive step with far-reaching benefits for Kenya.

Despite the US Ambassador’s comment which sounded unpalatable to the political opposition, Kenyans think that the US government led by Joe Biden has a good agenda for Kenya.  

The country is the largest economy in East and Central Africa, but corruption has slowed its growth. Poverty has increased, and some development projects have stalled the delivery of essential services to the citizens are in ruins. Other negative indicators which have stifled Kenya’s growth are over-borrowing, corruption, and money laundering.

“I trust the US as opposed to China which is primarily for self-economic enrichment in Kenya and other African countries. The US loves Kenya and wants the best for her people.” Says Peter Nyandega, a Kenyan businessman in New Jersey.

As the adage goes, the borrower is a slave to the lender. Over-borrowing from China has its demerits. In Sri Lanka, the country was forced to give up its two ports to the Asian giant, as a result of failing to service her loans. What will remain of Kenya if China claims the Port of Mombasa or any of our national Airports if over-borrowing from the Asian giant is not curtailed?

The US should help Kenya recover its financial assets stashed in offshore accounts to help resuscitate the economy. The buck stops on President Biden’s administration and other European powers.

Kenyans are yet to know if a memorandum signed five years ago between retired President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Swiss counterpart Alain Berse did yield some fruit to recovery funds hidden in Swiss banks. With the US’s expertise in curtailing money laundering and other economic crimes, Kenya will recover its offshore financial assets.

Nine years ago, Forbes Magazine featured Ambassador Whitman as the 20^th most influential woman in the world out of a list of 100 due to her indelible record in corporate America. Why can’t she utilize her networks to help Kenya become a haven of investment by US investors?

Nyaringo is the President of Kenya Patriotic Movement, a Diaspora lobby based in the US

Kenya: Raila Odinga presidency is inevitable

By Joseph Lister Nyaringo

Raila Odinga’s political journey has inspired many Kenyans and friends of Kenyans at home and abroad. His resiliency, Political consistency, and uncanny style of endearing himself to ordinary Kenyans have enabled him to remain afloat politically for many decades.

In the words of Winston Churchill, "Success is walking from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm." Odinga has endured many obstacles in his quest to become President of Kenya. As the clock ticks towards August 9, 2022, voting day, there is a clear indication that an Odinga Presidency is inevitable.  

It must be remembered that Odinga “won” this year’s election when he thawed the political animosity with his nemesis- President Uhuru Kenyatta in the 2018 political handshake.

Conversely, Deputy President William Ruto “lost” the presidency when he openly detested the handshake between his boss and Odinga and even went ahead to campaign against the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) which was birthed by the handshake. 

The Azimio Coalition candidate remains the fulcrum of Kenya’s reform movement. That’s why his Presidential ticket with Narc Kenya party Leader Martha Karua is a super blow to the Kenya Kwanza coalition candidate William Ruto and his running mate Rigathi Gachagua.

Throughout the campaigns, Ruto has been a master of doublespeak. Purveyor of blatant lies, disrespectful to his boss Uhuru Kenyatta and also campaigning with rancour, hate and bitterness. Above all, Ruto’s political lieutenants lack civility and decorum in their public pronouncements.

The pain Odinga has gone through in the pursuit of liberty for Kenya has been tortuous and humbling. The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader sees hope in every step of the struggle. His superb interaction with ordinary folks in Kenyan society has enabled him to unprecedently remain at the political apex for many decades.

The level of anxiety from Kenyans especially Odinga’s admirers since 1997 when he first contested for the Presidency is on a crescendo. Many will shed tears of joy when Odinga will be declared victorious in this week’s Presidential election. The reality of Odinga soon holding the title of “His Excellency” is no longer a mirage but a looming reality.  

Remaining at the political apex for long is no mean feat but a calling. Odinga never veered off. He never conformed to the status quo. He always stood with millions of Kenyans who always saw him as the only liberator from economic, social, and political bondage.

Many political icons who exhibited similar political values with Odinga, would’ve been his biggest celebrants of his Presidential victory if they were alive. The late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Masinde Muliro, George Anyona, Kenneth Matiba, Martin Shikuku, George Nthenge, Chelagat Mutai, Prof Ouma Muga, and Ahmed Bamahariz are true patriots who stood tall against the KANU government excesses against Kenyans.

With the philosophy of the said late freedom heroes in Odinga’s political blood, Kenyans have got no doubt whatsoever about the Azimio Coalition leader’s temerity to transform Kenya into a regional tower in the African continent when he takes the leadership baton from President Kenyatta.  

In any generation, God will raise a leader who may not be perfect, righteous, or super knowledgeable. He will use the leader as a vessel to guide his people. That’s why there is hope that Raila Odinga and Martha Karua who are both reformers and are blessed with the strength to put the country on the right footing especially in fighting graft, injustices, and economic inequality are indeed God-chosen.

The devotees of Odinga and Karua have high expectations about the incoming leadership. They however must contend with the fact that, oftentimes, new governments go through false starts before they get back on the right rails…

Leadership is a calling with synclines and anticlines. The biggest challenge the Azimio leadership may face in their first days in office is the hard economic times the country is in and spiralled unemployment.

Kenyans who have clear footage of Raila Odinga and Martha Karua’s political trails opine that the two are carved from the same stone. As revolutionaries, they are brave, honest, and incorruptible. Their yearnings for a better society where individuals' rights and freedoms are safeguarded are indelible. None has been embroiled in any corrupt scandal. The two stand out as beacons of hope for the good of Kenya.

It must be remembered that, when Odinga, risked his life to fight for a better society, he did it as a nationalist but not for his Luo tribe. Even Martha Karua who stood up to the late President Daniel Moi’s dictatorial regime did it for the good of Kenya and not her Kikuyu community.

For the first time, Kenyan voters have a presidential ticket of two resilient human beings with legendary credentials of emancipation. That’s why, Raila and Ruto’s political ideals are like day and night. On August 9^th, voters who care about the future of Kenya irrespective of their race, creed, tribe, or social class should cast their votes wisely.

 Whilst the Odinga ticket is facing a stiff challenge from the current deputy President, it must be remembered that the current deputy President has a poor track record on reforms, justice, and fairness in the country. Ruto has been accused of maladministration practices which reflects him as a corrupt person, purveyor of violence and incitement, land grabbing and poor ethical values.

 By and large, Odinga and Ruto will be voted on Tuesday on account of where they both stand on the economy, good governance, equity, and equality in the country.

Sound Political leadership is the cornerstone of a successful society. Through it, the future of a nation is defined on the domestic front and on the global stage.

The political fortunes of Odinga have increased tremendously if the current opinion polls by election pollsters are something to go by. As President Kenyatta prepares to exit the stage, his legacy is safe. Making a bold move to defy his deputy and support Odinga for Presidency is a reflection that he understands the intricacies that come with the office of the President.

Finally, many have come but are vanquished before even making a single political stride. Having been on the political stage undeterred for many decades, Odinga and Karua stand tall as the surest bet for Kenya. They hold unparalleled political charm and consistency which is centred on the collective good of the nation.

Nyaringo is the President of Kenya Patriotic Movement, a diaspora lobby based in the US