Bitter-sweet experience of Kibaki tenure

Factor or no factor in Kibaki's endorsement

Updated: Tuesday, July 12, 2011 Story by: MEEME JOSHUA

As the clock ticks towards August 2012, politicians are angling for vantage positions to capture country's leadership. Unlike, other elections this one is a game changer. This is so for a number of reasons. First, Kenya has new constitutional order that will define political, economic and social landscape in the country. Second, retiring President Kibaki is more focused on retirement and his legacy than who is taking over State House after him. Third, there is no favorite who can rest assured that the mantle will handed over to him or her. Fourth, unlike other elections there are no deals to cut for appointments in government. Those who loose out have no fall back plan to arm twist the leadership into positions of power. These are just the few of the many reasons why this country will never be the same again.

Kibaki's mien of indirection, indifference and amorphous political character, has left friends-foes, haters-admirers all in a confused state. But questions arise as analysts grapple with prevailing political dilemma: Will President Kibaki approve any of his foot soldiers as his favorite? Does this approval, if it will ever come, translate into mass conversion? Does Kibaki really have a fanatical following that he can herd behind his choice of successor?

Surrounded by scheming power brokers who have only self interest at heart, Kibaki's temptation to name a successor would blur or dull his legacy. Kibaki's characteristic withdrawal tactics is a snobbish disdain of petty politics that surround and identify Kenyan political landscape. Nothing can be more intoxicating for the President than an imagination to leave a legacy of a president who changed the destiny of the country. Nothing can be more suffocating than being surrounded by crowds of people yearning for approval on their selfish stab of Presidency.

Indeed, Kibaki's approval may be of no consequence. President Kibaki has no concrete and fanatical political following that he can flaunt to his successor. President Kibaki became a beneficiary of Kenyans apathy, indecisiveness and gullibility, occasioned by poverty and cost of living. The cost of living reflects the country's nostalgic memories of the good-old-days when life was simple and cheap. Not any more as surviving in Kenya is based on the rule of the jungle 'Survival for the fittest'. Life is complex and expensive. Why haven't Kenyans realized the benefits of economic prowess under Kibaki rule? Now, it can only be a matter of speculation but it will form a subject of research in the financial-economic disciplines.

Mr. President we would want to remember you for many things but also would want to forget your tenure for many more. Kenyans would want to forget that it was during the disputed 2007/8 elections that the country descended into the brink of precipice; Kenyans would want to forget that during your tenure the cost of living became unbearable and ordinary forks had to contend with one meal per day; Kenyans would want to forget that during your tenure Kenyans experienced astronomical corruption: from Triton Scandal, FPE money plundering, Anglo-Leasing saga, maize scandal, and many more.

But let give you credit for seeing a more cohesive Kenya where we see you more of Kenyan President than a President of Kikuyu origin. Kenyans will remember you as the President that broke away from history and brought development uniformly across the country irrespective of political affiliations and tribal origins; Kenyans will remember you for leading in the change for constitution; Kenyans will remember you for demystifying the institution of presidency; Kenyans will remember you for less-talk and more-action strategy to transform the country; Kenyans will remember you for reviving the economy, availing education opportunities for all Kenyans through Free Primary Education, and improving the health sector. Mr President Kenyans yearn to see who is going to inherit your dream of a reformed country. But even as you read this piece and prepare for your retirement, know that your legacy and achievements will come to a cropper if top leadership is inherited by a person who will take us back where we are struggling to run away from.

Mr President, you have proved that Kenya can move forward with right leadership. Your legacy Mr. President will not only be measured on the scale of smooth transition from despotic Moi regime but also a similar transition to after Kibaki era. God bless Kenya, Long live Kenya.

Email: joshmemento@yahoo.com