Of The State of Nation Address and Rowdy MPs

After two years of scandalous headlines. Kenyans should be forgiven for being a little cynical. Additionally, what equally breeds apathy and hopelessness in the country is the reality that there appears to be no alternative voice. A voice that can be relied upon by Kenyans, all we seem to have are goons.

As we approach elections, Kenyans are more concerned about corruption and whether we can have leaders who respect the rule of law. Therefore, it is hypocritical for one to claim a government is promoting impunity by failing to punish those who disregard the law, when they have no problem flouting House rules.

It doesn’t matter one’s passion, disregarding standing orders and defying the speaker, speaks volume about your general disregard for the rule of law. Nothing could be more dishonorable than whistling down an important address as that of state of the nation. Democracy in the 21^st century demands decorum.

That aside, this government does not appear fully interested in dealing with corruption head on. Currently, Kenya is ranked position 139^th out of 169 countries by Transparency International global corruption index. Other than asking the courts to step up, there’s nothing new the government offered. The President only read about reports on assets recovered. This is nothing compared to the unprosecuted cases. To that end, the president’s state of the nation address was largely another PR display.

The president’s argument that his government has shown better by giving more than the stipulated 15% to devolution, is countered by the fact that the financial year is ending two months from now and county governments have not yet received half their county’s budget. The result of this is, counties incurring unnecessary debts and killing the industrial spirit at that level.

Also, the matter of inclusivity will play a huge part in the next election. Uhuru’s government has been big on rewarding old people with plum parastatal jobs when the youth languish in joblessness.  This recycling of old leaders negates any talk on inclusivity. This is quite a disappointment.

However, it’s important to acknowledge a few things, the president got right on few things. Firstly, while firing his cabinet was more out of public pressure than his willingness, he nevertheless acted, severing important political alliances. This, should be recognized.

Likewise, despite the controversy around SGR, it is a project that will transform the country in many ways. The plans to expand it to Naivasha, Kisumu and Malaba will have marvelous results that we desire as a nation.

The President was right on the country’s hospitality industry; despite threats by terrorists, tourism industry is on the rise with new investors setting up shops in Mombasa and tourists flooding in. Indeed, all that wouldn’t be possible if Internal Security and Defence weren’t playing their part. We should learn to give the devil his due

In the meantime, let’s keep off unnecessary and divisive banter. Let’s also not be sycophants who approve everything without interrogating its usefulness to Kenya. Let’s critic better than our rogue law makers and where we disagree, let’s do it honorably, because Kenya will remain after we are gone.

Posted by Mzalendo Editor on April 4, 2016

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