What Former President Mwai Kibaki Will Be Remembered For

The former President of Kenya, Mwai Kibaki, served as the fourth vice-president of Kenya for ten years, from 1978 to 1988 under Daniel Arap Moi’s late president.

He was later elected as the president of Kenya in 2002 with 62 percent of the votes in the presidential elections against 31 percent for his successor Uhuru Kenyatta. He served as the president of Kenya from 2002- to 2013, a period when Kenya moved from a one-party state to a democracy.

Kibaki’s presidency brought smiles to the face of many Kenyans; he was recognized as being a sufficient economist who helped control Kenya’s economy. The country’s economy grew to greater heights following his leadership. His leadership had a number of achievements which includes;

Infrastructural Development

The most visible Project Kibaki will be remembered for is the construction of the 31 billion shillings Thika Super Highway which started in 2009 and was commissioned in November 2012. The Thika Super Highway was the first modern highway infrastructure in Kenya’s history. The 44.5km highway, which links Nairobi to Thika, a town in Kiambu county, made it easier for commuters to get to Nairobi. The time is taken to cross the two towns reduced from 2-3 hours to 30-35 minutes after the huge traffic snarl-ups that used to occur along the Nairobi-Thika road reduced.

In July 2012, Kibaki commissioned the Olkaria 280 Megawatt (MW) geothermal project, whose main objective was to raise Kenya Electricity Generating Company’s (KenGen) total electricity capacity by 25 percent.

Introduction of Free primary school Education

With the introduction of free primary education in 2003, an estimate of one million children who would not manage to get an education enrolled in schools. The initiative received positive attention from both Kenyans and outsiders, including praise from Bill Clinton (US president 1993-2001), who would travel to Kenya to meet Kibaki.

2010 Constitution

The passage of Kenya’s transformative 2010 constitution was another key highlight of Kibaki’s legacy. The Constitution was a major triumph and achievement which went a long way in addressing Kenya’s governance and institutional challenges. The new Constitution started wide-ranging institutional and legislative reforms, which President Kibaki skillfully and successfully steered in the final years of this presidency.

Revitalization of agriculture

After being elected the president of Kenya, Kibaki promised to empower the farmers and expand the farming acreage. His other main project was the opening up of failed irrigation schemes and the mechanization of agriculture. These initiatives led to a boom in Agriculture in Kenya.

He also endorsed projects to rehabilitate and expand irrigation schemes such as Bura, Hola, West Kano, Mwea, Nzoia, Ahero, and Katilu. New schemes were opened up in the Yala swamp, Katilu, and Lokubae in Turkana, Kibwezi, Masinga, and Kiambere.

Despite difficulties of drought and increased global fuel prices, the Kibaki government managed to put agriculture as a driver of the national economy.

Leadership Style

Unlike his predecessor, President Kibaki was not the kind of president who tried to establish a personality cult. Despite having made many achievements, he never had all manners of streets, roads, or institutions named after him. He also never dominated news bulletins with reports of his presidential activities.

His speeches were often marked by humorous phrases such as Kumbafu,and mafi ya kuku, which many people will live to remember.