I believe the President and his deputy ("dynamic duo" à la Ubako)
have a God-sent opportunity to not only reshape the destiny of this nation but to
change the perspective that the international community, their detractors and
the civil society have about them. If I had the chance to be either of them I
would focus on a number of issues.
One of the areas that I would focus on is National Healing and Cohesion. The country underwent a very divisive campaign and electoral period
and in some quarters the emotions are still very high after they lost out in
the plebiscite and the subsequent petition. The nation has also since the
colonial time undergone some very difficult times during which a lot of
injustices were committed by the ruling elite and their cohorts. Urgent
national healing is required so that the supporters of those that lost out can
feel that indeed they are still part of this great Nation. I would thus
recommend a Peace, Healing and Cohesion Initiative to be undertaken by the current
constitutional bodies that we have in place such as NCIC, TJRC, KHREC, CAJ and
NGEC. I would also ensure that the TJRC commission report is speedily received
(this has already happened), released to the
public in its entirety (thanks to the commission we
don’t have to wait for the president to do so) and recommendations of
the report put into action of course through public involvement and
participation (with main political players across
the divide adversely mentioned I await to see delivery of justice and
reconciliation). I would also ensure that other reports by commissions
of inquiry are released for public consumption and recommendations adequately addressed.
As a way of addressing historical injustices and bringing about national
healing, I would also embark on speedy resettlement of all genuine IDPs and
ensure they are appropriately and adequately compensated for their losses.
The main source of conflict in Kenya has always been LAND (I hear the TJRC report has two chapters on touching on
land). This is a matter that needs to be addressed soberly and it is for
that reason that the drafters of the current constitution saw it wise to anchor
land reforms in the constitution. I would first of all ensure that the National
Land Commission is well funded and that the commission is allowed to fully and
freely exercise its mandate as set out in the constitution and other subsidiary
legislation. Through the “tyranny of numbers” that the ruling coalition enjoys
in the legislature I would ensure appropriate and well drafted laws are passed
to address the problems of land in the country conclusively.
Every new government ascends into power with all the euphoria
to do good and deliver on its promises to the populace but somewhere down the years
personal interests of government operatives take center stage. I would firstly
ensure that the entire government structure is purged of all corrupt or
characters of questionable integrity. I would then ensure that accountability
and integrity are the driving principles of all government dealings and those
of its agencies. I would exercise my executive authority to ensure that
corruption, embezzlement and bribery are a thing of the past in all public
offices. I would ensure that our term in office is not dogged by any financial
scams and scandals as these will only detract us from performing our duties. If
we can put a cap on financial drain that results from corruption, it would be
goodbye poverty and welcome economic prosperity with other goodies such as free
laptops, free maternal care, universal healthcare and many more.
With about 40% of the population currently unemployed and the
youth constituting 70% of this unemployed population, the country is in dire
straits. This high rate of unemployment has led to upsurge in insecurity,
prostitution, drug use, alcoholism and other social vices. By putting in place
measures to lower unemployment the government will be dealing with not one but
numerous problems. To drive up employment, I would ensure measures such as
reduced cost of doing business, raising agricultural productivity, focusing
more on technical and vocational training and accessibility to credit among
others are put in place. I would ensure that the government goes out of its way
to attract new investments as this would greatly reduce unemployment. The
devolved form of government that the 2013 elections ushered in is also a good
way of reducing the pressure on the central government to provide employment.
By fully supporting devolution the counties would be transformed into economic
hubs thus attract investments. This would also reduce rural-to-urban migration
and as such the populations in informal settlements in our urban centers would
greatly come down. By dealing with unemployment crime rate would drastically
come down. I would also ensure that the police-to-population ratio is brought
to the UN recommended ratio which will not only reduced unemployment but also
ensure there is guaranteed security in the country. Not forgetting improved
terms and conditions of employment for our police service.
The ICC indictment of the top two is a yoke that the “dynamic
duo” and the nation at large which we will have to carry around for as long as
the judicial process is ongoing. If I were either of the two, I would fully
cooperate with this international judicial institution. The two have time and
again said that they are innocent of all allegations leveled against them. The
only way that they can prove this to the victims, their detractors and the international
community is by allowing the process to take place uninterrupted. This will
also give back to them the credibility they so much deserve to execute the
mandate bestowed to them by the electorate. I believe the legal teams the two
have assembled are competent enough to quash the indictments and prove their
innocence.
Of course there are many areas that the “dynamic duo” can
focus on and steer the nation to the course of economic prosperity and national
cohesion. If I were to pen down all that I think they should do, it would take
me as long as their presidential term to complete my write up. I believe they
are competent enough to discharge the duties of the offices they hold and all
they need now is the personal goodwill and commitment to deliver on their
promises. I am however not a politician hence it’s difficult for me to fully
comprehend the underlying factors that influence a politician’s thinking or
actions. I however know that once one has ascended to a high public office
he/she should be able to juggle the thinking of a politician with that of a
business person. So Bwana President and your deputy, use your political and
business acumen to drive this nation to the prophetic Promised Land.
I wish Messrs. President and Deputy
President divine guidance as they execute their duties for the prosperity of this great nation.
God Bless Kenya!
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