Monday, February 18, 2013

OPED: Debaters played into Uhuru’s hands


By Jared Okello
The presidential debate that involved all the aspirants sneaked in some ethical, aesthetic and philosophical questions regarding the candidates’ responsibility for other ordinary Kenyans’ lives and their betterment. The moderators understood the wise words of Jack Welch who said that leadership is seeing opportunities in tough times.
Key points of discussion revolved around the economy, devolution, public service reforms, education, energy, corruption, tribalism and food security.
Additionally the candidates tackled health care, job creation, national security, foreign policy, infrastructure, resource management and social protection.
Delicate Matter
There came a pin-drop silence and shock as the moderator dragged an elephant into the room with the issue of ICC indictees, Uhuru Kenyatta, one of the leading presidential candidates.
None was privy to the last minute inclusion of this agenda as the question sent everyone scratching their heads, engaging in hoi polloi of the day. This was the toughest question of the moment.
All bore in mind the fact that no matter the arguments being presented over this delicate matter, the first casualty in case of perceived carelessness would be their candidatures.
The candidates all had their eyes fixed on the vote rich region of central Kenya, thereby tactfully choosing their words.
Even the no-nonsense Martha Karua with her vibrancy chose to handle the topic with kid gloves.
All of them did this at great cost to themselves because they believed in the good of what they were doing, yet in the public eye, they lacked the will to slay this dragon perpetuated by incessant impunity. It was a show of procrastination, a virtue that the electorate does not appreciate.
Apart from Mohamed Dida who had guts to confront the most lethargic issue, because going by the successive polls he has nothing major to lose, the rest coiled their tails and back-pedalled on their previous stands. This gave Uhuru Kenyatta latitude to expound on this emotive issue and subsequently won people’s sympathy.
Despite IPSOS Synovate report indicating he won, he still failed to convince Kenyans how he will govern while in The Hague defending himself from charges of crimes against humanity.
There was no mention of cushioning our fiscal budget in the event of sanctions by our development partners who have warned of dire consequences.
In my opinion, the rest chose to be seen to be pro-Uhuru by extending hope of recalling the cases back to Kenya, in a bid to win Mount Kenya votes.
Little did they know that regardless of what they said and did, these voters are already decided and no amount of taunting or insolence can detract them.
Core Values
They hysterically thought that by evading the topic and embracing Uhuru as a brother their governing philosophy will be the closest to our core values.
They showed disdain for decisiveness and Kenya’s historic place in our republic against the consciences of the masses.
They forgot the wise sayings of David Thorem who said “you cannot dream yourself into a character, you must hammer and forge yourself into one.” It was absolute fallacy to listen to the presidential contenders betray their own hitherto solid resolve.
Our country Kenya has so much at stake. We must sincerely make ourselves anew, and vow to move forward together, putting aside sideshows and hypocrisy.
Culture Of Honesty
Throughout Kenya’s history, we have never relinquished our skepticism over government authority, nor have we succumbed to the fiction that all society’s ills can be cured through government alone. We have always played our roles even when the same government has usurped our efforts.
Our celebration of initiative and enterprise; our insistence on hard work and personal responsibility, are constants in our character from Busia to Lunga Lunga.
Together, we must inculcate a culture of honesty, saying what we mean, resolving that a great Kenya will care for the vulnerable, and protect its people from life’s worst hazards and misfortune including those that are man-made.
That’s what will lend meaning to the creed our Founding Fathers once declared while fighting colonialism.
The writer is a Nyando parliamentary seat candidate.





No comments:

Post a Comment