The rally to 2013 general elections divided Kenya in the middle. A country demarcated politically, an election so close such that if any of the sides was declared the winner Kenyans would probably accept. This was followed by a court case, which, to several millions of Kenyans didn't deliver justice ( in Kenya justice occurs when the ruling favours you). Even today, many Kenyans have not accepted Uhuruto rise to power.
The tussle for control and power has continued, one government operating from the state house and the other one from the streets. Fights, literally, have ensued, from MPs versus the people, MPs versus senators to Makueni people against one of the governments and teachers waging war with the same government.
Let me examine the performance of the two governments. I begin with the street one. Mark you, the word street in this context is not aimed at belittling or even despising, but to capture the exact working environment of this government, where it expresses its views, where it derives power and what drives it. The leader, Raila Odinga, has been well positioned by history, experience and grasp of issues affecting the common mwananchi such that he can opine without reading from a book or calling a meeting. he always has the cards, as he can watch the statehouse government make a move, then he retaliates with a more sure one.
He won some love on his sentiments about the teachers strike, some sympathy on his mistreatment at the airport which i consider to be a calculated frustration. He has agitated for a faster devolution of power to the counties to get the systems up and running and he has kept the government on check day in day out, impressing on that course.
His confidant, Mr Owalo, has been in the news recently for an alleged destabilization of the state house government. Yesterday, listening to BBC swahili service, i was treated to imputations that Kenya is on the verge of a political turn-around, the Egypt way. I know Raila Odinga, this hard working and resilience Kenyan enough, he can't throw this country to the dogs. He has fought a good fight for the country to lose it all in one day. As he has reiterated time and again, he is not a power hungry, greedy leader, but a political colossus who prides in his achievements and dreams for a better Kenya.
Despite some one or two emotional statements mainly on the IEBC, the leader and his opposition faithful have done significantly well, on what they are supposed to do. Add that to an expected win in the Makueni senate seat and i give their performance a 8/10.
Now to the official government. I would start with a belated congrats message, compliment them on the cabinet appointments (but for some reservations) and laud their determination to airlift the country to canaan. Understandably, the last 100 days or so have been spent in planning and planning.
The support of the monetary policy has bore fruits as our shilling has remained stable and resilient, the maternity deal has rescued many mothers and will be mothers and the laptop project is a good promise.
Some cabinet secretaries, like Ann Waiguru have carried to their duties very fast, hitting the ground with dust on the Uwezo fund, doing interviews here and there and ensuring great and reliable PR. Other secretaries have not done anything worth of media report, lets give them time.
Kazungu, Kaimenyi and Balala have not disappointed, if you know what i mean. The management of the teachers strike was poor, to say the least. The ongoing debacle about if they should be paid just adds salt to the bruise.Balala is weighed by responsibilities at the new economy will-be driver, mining. He needs to get policies right otherwise our minerals will turn to a curse, as it has happened in many countries.
On international lines, ICC still looms, we don't know upto when. Bilateral engagements, mainly with the naturally endowed Congo, Nigeria and other east Africa states have been encouraging.
Security has been a major challenge for the young government but with the announcement of package improvements for our officers in uniform hopes are high that we will see a semblance of serenity.
Efforts to 'one-nize' Kenya have mixed yields. Inviting muslims to the statehouse was good but the Kethi Kilonzo issue has elicited even more polarity. With the government caught up in dynamics of power, i give them a 6.5/10
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