By Kiare Maina Kiare, GA, USA
11/29/07
According PNU manifesto, Kibaki does not say anything about the constitution and corruption, two most critical issues that have fueled the onslaught against him. He talks about infrastructural development over the next five years that will see Kenya developing a first class road net work, but does not say how he will do it. The question keen political observers are asking is what infrastructural project has Kibaki ever initiated for his constituents in Othaya that could be scaled up to the national level to translate to what he is exactly saying. In fact, his ODM political opponent in Othaya seems to understand better the problems facing Othaya people as he recently supplied the neediest with new bicycles to enhance their mobility. Most constituents interviewed intimated that they are more likely to vote for Kariuki simply because he has shown to be an action oriented and practical leader who addresses real problems and provides real solutions through philanthropic contribution. This timely manner of empowering the people has resonated with Othaya people who claim Kariukis concern hints where their hearts intersect. The people of Othaya accused their former MP and president for not initiating any projects geared to increasing jobs opportunities despite his being in the presidency.
Kibaki promises to introduce a modern and integrated industrial infrastructure that will translate to jobs in all parts of the country. Political analysts find this type of campaign strategy of promising everything to all people suicidal because unlike years ago when politicians would promise heaven and expect to be elected on the basis of their imaginary or empty promises, today Kenyans are very politically mature and they can analyze what is practical and what is just raw politicking. The electorates have discovered that they are being cheated with political goodies, unsubstantiated and untested policies and this realization can be attributed to the continuous downward trend of PNU popularity as indicated in the recent Steadman poll. The youth in particular who had been caught up in the web of deceit and trickery by PNU euphoria are now demanding that all candidates run on their records and not on hypothetical models that only the likes of George Muhoho and Stanly Murage are capable of creating. Hence, Kibakis promise to launch the modern and integrated industrial infrastructure as a special pledge for Kenyas 50th independence is a propaganda and an ideology that the Kenyan youth have refused to buy. If Kibaki cannot show a single pathway that he has fixed in Othaya with millions of shilling in his CDF kitty, the presidency, looting name it all, how can he convince Kenyans about a modern and integrated industrial infrastructure at the national level?
Kibaki promises that thousand of children under the age of five years will have access to free health care and expectants mothers will also get free ante-natal and post-natal care. While this is a welcome strategy, it is not lost to keen political observers that Kibaki has not demonstrated the ability to take care of a small demographic in Othaya. That being the case, then how can Kenyans trust his uncultivated promises of everything to all people? For example, the US Senator Obama who is currently running for the presidential nomination on Democratic Party ticket strives to ground his policy thinking in simple common sense. He cites staff he did as a local youth organizer and outlines his achievement and experience. In Kibakis case, if none of the health clinics in Othaya is adequately equipped today, then he has no case to argue that he will do so for everyone in the entire country if given five more years. A leader who leaves no foot prints after many years in public service is not the ideal choice for President when the country continues to make repeated and biased if not tribal policies, especially in education, health and economic development.
Kibakis pledge to introduce free quality secondary education within a system of a comprehensive basic education from early childhood to adulthood is a belated prophecy. Millions of Kenyans are not enjoying the free primary education which is being implemented without teachers and education supplies? Only ODM will successfully implemented the free education program and put into operation modalities that will ensure access to free quality secondary school education for all. In this regard, the American government has endorsed President Raila as a great leader that will make free education initiative possible. American government strongly believes that education levels the playing ground and ensures that every child has a chance to realize their full potential, which will in the long-run ensure foster democracy, economic development and freedom. American governments motto is everything is possible to those who work hard in school that echoes Railass unmatched motto of a Working Nation!
Keen political observers wonder why Kibaki has not demonstrated that crime can be eradicate completely in Othaya before he promises how his government will map up crime hotspots in urban and rural areas. Unlike the Republican front runner in the American presidential nomination, Rudy Giulian, who is credited with stamping out crime in New York City through a series of tough policies when he was mayor, Kibaki has nothing to write home about even after representing Othaya, being in the government for 47 years and being president for five years. His means that justifies the end as a champion of Kazi Iendelee is to suppress people further into poverty and exploit their suffering to govern them by systematically making them poor and helpless that is the Moi style. Kenyans deserve a practical leader who provides realistic solutions and not mere rhetoric and arrogance. Most observers are wondering why Kibaki did not achieve most of the promises he gave to Kenyans in 2002?
Kibaki promises to establish a new Metropolitan Police Authority for Nairobi, which is better trained and well equipped crack force to deal with rising gun crime. It is not lost to keen observers that Kibaki recently used organized criminals (Mungiki) to intimidate and silence Kenyans reasons to create fear among Kenyans and to manipulate to suit his whims. How can he promise security when his hands are full of blood as the chief architect of Mungiki menace where many innocent Kenyans have lost their lives and property?
Kibaki promise to stop escalation of environmental degradation and desertification by ensuring that policy is built into every economic decision in all areas of government is the biggest political joke of 2007. Othaya is infested with all toxic pollution and Kibaki now masquerading as a reformist has a blue print full of strategies to solve Kenyans problems. It is not lost to keen observers that in the absence of core values and a record that provide a broad sense of how he would handle the great issues of the nation voters are not likely to be convinced especially because he is running against an incumbent running on a great tested record. In this context, Kibakis promises are perceived as the least bit sincere and lacking freshness and buoyancy to scrub toxins surrounding his political life.
One thing is clear. The PNU manifesto sets no clear direction and Kibakis economic policies have not been working. If it is not working well fix it! What Kenyan need is to stay the course and raise the bar Get to the next level and next year they will see a different Kenya!