Divided Nation, Rising Debt, Unemployment Ushers Uhuru’s Final Term

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto will be sworn in for a second and final five-year term in office through the Jubilee Party.

He won 98.26 percent (7,483, 895 votes)  according to the  Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) in the October 26 repeat poll. Only 39 per cent of registered voters took part.

The repeat presidential vote followed an election in August, which Kenyatta also won but which was nullified by the Supreme Court on procedural grounds.

The duo campaigned on the Jubilee Party manifesto ‘Continuing Kenya’s Transformation, Together’ anchored on three pillars:  Pillar One: Transforming Lives,  Pillar Two: Transforming Society and Pillar Three: Transforming the Nation.

“Alongside you all, Jubilee has been hard at work across this country and laid the foundations for a vibrant and modern Kenya that provides us all with the platform to achieve our true potential. This work continues,” says President Uhuru Kenyatta. “We must now redouble our efforts to build upon the foundations of success. The task is not yet complete. The work must continue and should not be derailed.”

Despite the fact that, Kenya has had a prolonged electioneering period, the rhetoric of the General Elections is now over and the proof the pudding is in the eating and in this case the proof of leadership, statesmanship for Uhuru is now squarely on his shoulders.  

Consequently, this will not be easy.

The National Super Alliance (NASA) has vehemently said they will not recognise Uhuru as president.

“We affirm that we do not recognise the Oct 26 election and to declare as per Article 1 of the Constitution we have not individually and collectively delegated our sovereignty to Uhuru Government,” said Musalia Mudavadi to the media on Saturday  during a leadership forum held in Machakos County.

The Raila Odinga led coalition of the opposition resolved that the people have been compelled to go back to the drawing board. “The ‘People’s Assembly’ is that drawing board. It is not a parallel government. It is not an alternative parliament or county assembly  It is a process of charting our political destiny. It will protect our county governments… it will reflect the politics of exclusion and ethnic dominance.”

The coalition asserts that ‘Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka as the legitimate President and Deputy president and as a sovereign people commit ourselves to see it that they assume office’, “That is our position and what we have done, what we will do will be in the framework of the Constitution,” said the coalition.

Indeed, the greatest challenge that faces the Uhuru government is fostering citizenship is tied to that of ethnicity and an impediment to Kenya’s transition to democracy.

Manoah Esipisu, the Secretary, Communication and State House Spokesperson after the Supreme Court ruling that upheld Uhuru victory said “The President would like to assure all Kenyans, those who voted for him and those who did not, that he will be President of all Kenyans. No one should fear that they will be marginalised or penalised for their political choice.”

On the other hand, the opposition says “There is nothing that has been done that is treasonable,” in relation to them holding a memorial service of Kenyans alleged killed by the police on the day Uhuru will be sworn.

The unfolding events emerge in the wake of the Mo Ibrahim Index of African Governance where Kenya scored 59.3 per cent in overall governance, to be ranked 13th in Africa.

In the report, Kenya achieved its highest category score in human development, at 67.1 per cent. Its lowest category score was in participation and human rights, at 56.2 per cent.

In his final term, many observers are keen to see how his government will have the courage to implement scrupulously the dreams and promises of Kenyans enshrined in the letter and spirit of the Constitution of Kenya 2010.

“There is a reluctance to confront ethnicity as a problem in policy and politics, yet it is the central pillar in Kenya’s  politics and development and therefore, critical to democracy and participation,” says Professor Karuti Kanyiga. “There is need to confront ethnicity by developing relevant policies and laws, as well as taking appropriate political actions.”

In building a united and cohesive nation, the Jubilee party envisions “A Kenya where every person and every community is proud to be Kenyan and actively contributes to strengthen our national fabric.”

We seek to put an end to politics base