Tuesday, 18 December 2012

Kenya’s dirty Politics, a threat to a stable society

Posted by African Press International on May 8, 2012
Picture by TmashDesignsDelights
Grace Adhiambo,
Reporting from Kakamega
Kenya

While Kenyans are busy paying more for food due to lack of proper policies, politicians are getting busy with their selfish acts.

For how long will we continue having such leaders is the question Kenyans should be asking themselves. When will they ever look back and appreciate the ordinary ‘wananchi’ for getting them there?
Throughout history, politics has been considered to be a dirty game. But this does not mean politicians should wash their dirty linens in public. Not long ago Kenyans found themselves in a mess killing each other, all thanks to our politicians. The post-election violence that claimed the lives of many innocent Kenyans should have served as a lesson to our politicians.
With a number of them facing International criminal charges and still on the front line as presidential aspirants, Kenyans have a reason to get worried. How can we give room for them to rule this country? My take is that William Ruto and Uhuru Kenyatta should not be given a chance to rule this country. I do not see their ability shining leading us to accord them opportunity to such a high office in the land. What makes us believe that it is a political party that can get one to the presidential seat?

Recently our very own Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi quit then Orange democratic movement and joined United democratic forum (UDF) claiming that the party officials repeatedly declined to amend the party constitution to pave way for the presidential ticket.

Mudavadi who is the member of parliament for Sabatia constituency by virtue of his ODM party membership resigned as local government minister, and also quit as ODM deputy party leader. He said he could not resign as the deputy prime minister, claiming that he was appointed to the DPM’s office courtesy of a national reconciliation agreement which created the office with the aim of bringing harmony to Kenyans, thus – he cannot resign because they are still reconciling Kenyans through their constitutional offices.
Why should he act like he is promoting harmony when he is doing the opposite? During a rally that was held in Nakuru on Sunday 6th of May, Mudavadi attacked the prime minister saying Raila Odinga was a man ripe for retirement. This is not for him to decide. He went on to say that Raila had skeletons in his closet. Who does not have skeletons in their closet and does he have to say this in public if he really wants to see peace prevail in Kenya?
Politicians should stop taking us for a ride.

Recently, rival groups from ODM and UDF disrupted the funeral of Jason Omwera Muhoro, father to Nairobi mayor George Aladwa in Sabatia constituency. They even went ahead to bring down the tent that was sheltering the casket. This started after the Ikolomani Mp Boni Khalwale said that should Mudavadi loose his post as deputy premier, he would move vote of no-confidence against the prime minister. Opposing groups, one chanting ODM slogans and another chanting UDF went for each other.
Politicians should not be allowed to engage mourners in political speeches because most of them use funerals and church services for selfish gains. The deputy prime minister even said he was ready to work with Ruto and Uhuru Kenyatta who are Raila’s rivals.

Ruto left ODM and joined United Republican Party (URP) assuring Kenyans that he will fight drug addiction if elected, and strive to endear himself to locals by calling for increased allocations of government funds for development. He dismissed ODM saying it was a dead party.

Just like Ruto, former Cabinet minister Najib Balala who was once in ODM claims that ODM party is a shell of what it was when they started, and that it is now full of crooks. What politicians should avoid is ethnicity.

Why should we have ethnic groupings like Gema and Kamatusa? They are out to promote tribal hatred and should be abolished. Tribalism is becoming a real force to reckon with. Majority of parties formed are out to ensure that ODM does not get the presidential seat, yet they lack ideologies and policies. These are not the politicians we bargained for.


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