In less than 16 months, President Kibaki’s tenure at State House will be over. This is in accordance to the Supreme Court’s ruling on the date of the next General Elections, which provides two possible dates on when to go to the polls. The first is in December this year, only if the two principals agree to dissolve the current house, thereby going to the eagerly awaited polls. If the current parliament is dissolved, then the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission must within 60 days, fix a date for the polls. The other possible scenario is in March next year, when the term of the current coalition government comes to an end. I f either of the two happens, the house on the hill will surely have a new tenant. As he leaves office after the expiry of his second term, President Kibaki will leave behind a legacy, for which he will so much be remembered for.
The positive side of Kibaki’s legacy will be anchored on three main things; the new constitution, infrastructure and free primary education. The new constitution, which was promulgated on the 27th of August 2010, goes into the country’s history books as what changed the politics of this great nation. This is mainly because of how power has been devolved from the central government to the county governments. This will provide each country with an opportunity to harness its resources, as the gateway to realizing its full potential. From the marginalized areas of North- Eastern province to the agriculturally rich belts of Central, Rift- Valley and Central provinces, Kenya will be on her way to realizing her full potential. The new constitution also provides for the increased representation of the handicapped and women. Governance posts will now be spread across both genders, and also marginalized groups will also be amply represented. Integrity and the unquestionable character of those seeking elective, governance and administrative posts, have now become inevitable. Kenya is finally off the blocks.
Since the introduction of the free primary education, the children of this country have finally been accorded that much sought- after chance to getting basic education. Children, even in those marginalized regions of the country are now accessing education. Those from poor backgrounds, slums and other areas, where necessity for basic needs is the order of the day, are getting educated. Being born in a slum does not mean that poverty was born in you. They are living this saying. The government also increased the number of secondary schools throughout the country, besides subsidizing the cost of acquiring secondary education. This has greatly born dividends as more and more children can now afford secondary education. The fight against illiteracy and poverty seems to be well on course.
Another notable achievement of the Kibaki administration has been the milestones made in improving the road transport across the country. New roads have been built and existing ones rehabilitated. Road transport has been tremendously improved, far beyond the imaginations of Kenyans. The Nairobi- Thika superhighway is a real reflection of this. The wide expansive and well Chinese built road is a marvel to look at and drive on. Motorists are now easing off from the heavy traffic jams that they had grown used to. The Museum Hill fly over, among the many others that have been built to ease traffic are a marvel to look at. With its completion before the end of this year, Kenya will be at par with the best road network of this continent. Farmers who were losing millions due to poor infrastructure can no longer cry at the same. Road network to all these agriculturally rich areas has been greatly improved, thus a sigh of big relief to the farmer in these regions. They are now amply selling their product and registering good returns. This is a big thumb- up to the outgoing president, H.E Mwai Kibaki.
However, the only blot on Kibaki’s otherwise excellent 10- year reign is the looming prosecution of the country’s four sons at The Hague. Charges against Deputy Prime Minister and mp for Gatundu South, Uhuru Kenyatta, Eldoret North Mp William Ruto, former Head of Civil Service, Ambassador Francis Muthaura and Kass FM presenter, Joshua arap Sang, have all been confirmed. This is the only nightmare that the outgoing president will carry into his retirement. Following a bungled presidential poll in 2007, which led to a bloodbath, to many politicians, The Hague, was a pipe dream. To them, no Kenyan could ever be tried there over the 2007-2008 post- poll violence. Attempts by the Justice and Constitutional affairs Minister, Hon. Mutula Kilonzo’s to set up a local mechanism t try the suspects, was met with spirited resistance. An attempt by Central Imenti legislator to pass a bill, aimed at setting up a local tribunal was crushed at the early stages by the house. To the politicians, Hague was the only viable option of dealing with the post-poll mess. ` Let’s not be vague, let’s go The Hague’, was a common phrase in the mouths of many politicians. Now that it has dawned on them, they are shedding crocodile tears. But this has stained Kibaki’s otherwise excellent two term reign in office.
It will go down the annals of the country’s history that it was during Kibaki’s tenure in office that Kenya’s four sons were tried at the International Criminal Court in The Hague. This is because the buck stops with the head of state. This is despite the fact that the two principals tried to persuade the house to set up a local tribunal, all in vain. President Kibaki will be used as the scapegoat by the political class, whenever the ICC thing pops up. This is truly sad for the outgoing president. The Hague is reality that he will quickly wish to forget but one that will forever linger in the minds of every Kenyan.
Indeed a blot on the president’s otherwise successful 10- year reign in office.
No comments:
Post a Comment