OLD HABITS DIE HARD POLITICALLY

Monday, 26^th March. Two major events, which caught the attention of the Kenyan nation were officially made known to the public.

 The first was the discovery of oil in one the most marginalised areas of this country, by Tullow Oil Plc, a British oil mining firm in KodeKode Village, Turkana East District. This must be sweet news to the residents of Turkana, who have had to endure tough times. Long spells of droughts and famine, hard living conditions, banditry and cattle rustling are some of the impediments that have held- back the development of this region. Thus, the discovery of black gold is sure to jump- start the long road to social, economic and political redemption. However, this will only happen if this invaluable natural resource is managed prudently. Anything short of these will only perpetrate the curse of oil in Africa; where people continue to wallow in abject poverty, despite the presence of oil. In most cases, disputes over oil have sparked off deadly conflicts between North and South Sudan, clashes in the oil-rich Niger Delta of Nigeria, among other places. In most of these areas, bloodbath, tears and agony have replaced the joy that accompanies the discovery of oil. God forbid that this does not happen in Turkana.

The other event is what must have gripped the nation’s attention; the cabinet reshuffle that was done by President Kibaki and the Prime Minister, Raila Odinga. It came at the backdrop of a heated debate on the ICC prosecution of the four suspects; Deputy Prime Ministerand Mp for Gatundu South, Uhuru Kenyatta, Eldoret North Mp, William Ruto, former Head of Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet, Ambassador Francis Muthaura and Kass Fm presenter, Joshua rap Sang. In the midst of polarised public discourse on the impending prosecution of two of the presidential hopefuls, Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto, former Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs minister, Mutula Kilonzo is one man who was a thorn in the flesh of the G7 Alliance. At one time, leaders of this alliance almost kicked out Vice- President Kalonzo Musyoka, over the minister’s uncompromising stand on this issue. Thus, it came as no surprise when Mutula moved to the Education docket. His place at the Justice ministry taken over by Saboti Mp, Eugene Wamalwa, who is a key ally of the Uhuru- Ruto- Kalonzo led alliance.

The fact that Mutula’s tenure at this ministry was one of the most successful is in no doubt. He fearlessly came out to give stands that rubbed shoulders the wrong way, especially with regard to the prosecution of the two presidential hopefuls at The Hague. His tough uncompromising stands never augured well with the G7 Alliance. His apparent demotion to the Education docket must get the entire nation thinking hard. Politics of the past era when ministerial positions were dished out as rewards for political sycophancy and loyalty must be playing their way back to the current political era, the new constitution notwithstanding. The other changes within the PNU camp include the fresh appointment of Kigumo MP, Jamleck Kamau to the Nairobi Metropolitan docket, and Prof Sam Ongeri’s promotion to the Foreign Affairs ministry. Both are key supporters of the G7 Alliance. The newly appointed minister for Nairobi Metropolitan is a key supporter of Uhuru Kenyatta’s ambitions to succeed President Kibaki, at State House, next year. Prof Ongeri’s promotion despite the Sh 4.6b Free Primary Education scam, must also raise eyebrows, as to what determined the demotions, appointments and promotions in the cabinet shake-up.

Mvita Mp and Minister for Tourism, Najib Balala, was sacked and his place taken over by Voi Mp, Danson Manzo, a vocal supporter of the Prime Minister. The fact that Balala’s removal comes in the wake of his open disagreements with the Premier, does not come as a surprise to many. The unwritten Kenyan rule that spells doom to anyone who ‘rebels’ against his or her party boss, his resurfacing again, akin to William Ruto’s words that some parties are idols that must be adored, failure to which the consequences are hard-hitting.

Whoever said that old habits die-hard must have had the Kenyan politicians in mind?  Political ways discovered and perfected by the Moi regime still rule the Kenyan political landscape. Positions are dished out or denied, based on the political motives and interests, rather than development oriented and competence. We might have ushered in a new constitutional dispensation, but our old political habits are still tightly clutched in our hands. In any case, the current politicians are products of the Moi regime.

Old habits wil always die-hard and the Kenyan politics is no different. You might have a different way of looking into these. These are just the views of a concerned patriot of this great nation.