Is Mukhisa Kituyi The Safe Pair Of Hands That Kenya Needs?

The season of words is once again here with us. The season of big words, small words, tall words, short words, fat words, and thin words, and the tongues are wagging. The time for Kenyans to separate men and boys, women and girls is finally here.

There seems to be a new glamour for change that is ruling the air. Kenyans seem to be yearning for a new blood, a new breath, and a new safe pair of hands to occupy the house on the hill. Have Kenyans decided to break the tradition this time around?

As it is the norm, at such a time, many people will claim to have “heard the voices of the people” when in the real sense, such voices only exist in their minds. Is the next President of the Republic of Kenya going to be someone least expected?

With the politics ruling the airwaves, Kenyans are on their own and in need of a savior. They should get used to the idea that nothing good will ever come out of their politicians other than politics and should look for an alternative.

Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi

The latest entrant into the Presidential race is Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi. For those who might not know him, Mukhisa Kituyi became UNCTAD’s seventh Secretary-General on 1 September 2013. After serving an initial four-year term, he was reappointed by the General Assembly in July 2017 for an additional term that began on 1 September that year.

Dr. Kituyi has an extensive background as an elected official, an academic, and a holder of a high government office. He also has wide-ranging experience in trade negotiations, and in African and broader international economics and diplomacy.

He stepped down from the position and came back home. He has since announced his intentions to run for the presidency and already the ground has started shifting. Those who seemed to dismiss him at first are now shaking with fright.

Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi might be a force that many never anticipated and perhaps a safe pair of hands that Kenya has been yearning for. “I bring unity to the table. Who can sell beyond the region? I believe I am that man. We should not be led astray,” he says.

According to Dr. Kituyi, a good leader knows where his people must be. He, therefore, embarks on a journey to take his people to a place, not because the people want to, but because the leader knows that the people must be there. “We should prioritize young people in everything. They feel most of the pressures of the moment. To empower the youth, give them control.”

A Luhya in power will correct historical wrongs. Dr.Kituyi says. The whole of the Western province is represented in the cabinet by Amina Mohammed. Eugene is from Rift Valley. Let that sink in. “We should know that it’s the control of instruments of power that makes things work. Without that, we’ll keep politicking.”

The economy of Kenya thrives on the wheels of small and medium enterprises (SME). The sector employs 86 percent of the population and provides at least 45.5 percent to Kenya’s GDP. Despite the importance of the sector, it is ailing and almost on its knees.

READ: The Season Of Words To Hurt The Economy Than Never Before

“We need business incubation. Our people must do business. We should also know that agriculture should not have been devolved. It should be the National Government’s business so that it can be taken to the next level. In Western Kenya, we have some of the best lands in Kenya. Sugarcane is not the only cash crop we can plant other crops,” he said.

Coming from Western Kenya, Dr. Kituyi was asked about the agenda he has for the region. “We’ve not had the leadership to integrate our economies in Western and Uganda for the benefit of our people. We can create a market in Eastern Uganda and Western Kenya. We don’t have to depend on the Nairobi economy.”

For the whole country, “The first thing I will do for Kenya is National Reconciliation. We must bring everybody to the same table. Government is like family. The budget must be informed by income. We must cut our coats according to our size. Our economy is agriculture-based.”

They say Charity begins at home. This Saturday, Dr.Kituyi has planned for a grand welcoming and an official kick-off for his Presidential journey. Do you think this is the guy we have been waiting for? Is he the man that Kenya badly needs? Leave your views.

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