The purported impending pick of URP's William Ruto as Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta's running mate unsettles me, and I am sure Millions other Kenyans. If true, I am befuddled by the profundity or lack thereof on Uhuru's part for this decision. It would be the kind of brazen brinkmanship that Kenya doesn't need at this stage in our history as we desperately struggle to heal from the PEV of 2007/2008. First off, I want to start by stating, in the interest of full disclosure, that I support Uhuru Kenyatta for President. However, I am deeply concerned about this proposed marriage and it pains me a great deal to pen this but I am fully reconciled to the fact that perhaps the good that will come from lending my humble opinion in this will outweigh the comfort and convenience of simply seating by the sidelines and watch as the country we all love potentially goes down the wrong path- again. Obviously we each have a role to play in our country's future and we must all stand to be counted especially when the stakes are as high as the forthcoming elections- it does nobody any good to stand by and watch as our leaders make mistake after mistake we must admonish them, even those we support.
http://www.ochwangi.com/?p=574
http://www.ochwangi.com/?p=574
As stated above, I support Uhuru Kenyatta for president and I welcome any alliances that he can form to help him win the big seat but in no way should those of us who support him endorse the Kenyatta- Ruto for President & Vice President ticket that we are told is in the last stages of being formalized. I think it would be a travesty not just for the obvious reasons which I speak to shortly but also calls into question the wisdom and maturity of our leaders to entrusted with the lives of the 40 Million plus Kenyans who rely on our leaders' sound judgments for their existential future. Other than the Kalenjin votes, I don't see any other real compelling reason that William Ruto should be made a vice presidential candidate in the same line-up with Uhuru Kenyatta.
The ICC:
In press reports, William Ruto allegedly stated that the alliance with Uhuru Kenyatta is designed to win the elections the first round and primarily to make a statement against the ICC process, I kid you not. Ruto's admission requires that Uhuru must also be cognizant that a Uhuru-Ruto ticket is a direct dare to the ICC and the International community and given the gravity of charges leveled against the two, I can promise you that they will both lose the dare. This is not the season for braggadocio, frankly as much as we recognize their desire to exonerate themselves of the charges, the courts do not care. Politicians generally have maniacal egos but Mr. Ruto's outspokenness and intransigent posturing with respect to the next elections is worrisome to say the least. First, his reason reads like a dare; to dare the international community/ICC is the height of inanity; it is asinine by any reasonable objective measure. We have already determined that the process at The Hague is political and adulterated; this is not the time to dare or gamble with the ICC. They couldn't care less what statement you are trying to make particularly if it is in the form of a dare. And if this alliance comes to fruition in the form being touted in the media, i.e. Kenyatta actually picks Ruto as a running mate, it is more likely to get both men in more trouble at The Hague rather than exonerate them. It might be fine for Uhuru and Ruto's political fortunes but where does that leave the rest of us? Of course, the ICC is a major catalyst behind the proposed Kenyatta-Ruto ticket but it is also likely to boomerang on them and drag the nation along. That is what most of us are concerned about, that the national interests are taking a back seat as politics once again trump our existential common good.
Government Continuity, Risk Planning & Mitigation
All political candidates, especially for president owe Kenyans a duty of care. They must demonstrate that they have considered the sum total of the effects of their run. This is especially the case for Uhuru Kenyatta because in all likelihood, he will be Kenya's next president. Therefore, I hold him to a higher standard. At the funeral of the Minister for Internal Security, the late Professor George Saitoti, Uhuru somberly reiterated the late Saitoti's words that the nation is bigger than an individual and that he is committed to put the nation's interests ahead of his own; words have meaning and this is the time to demonstrate that. Picking Ruto as his running mate will ransom the nation. It is bad judgment. Moreover, it speaks to the core of his leadership capability and ability to make wise decisions that serve the interests of the nation other than self-preservation.
Uhuru Kenyatta must show the public that he has considered and mitigated all risks associated with his run for president, established necessary contingency as well as government continuity plans- a president and vice president both facing charges and simultaneously attending court proceedings in a foreign country right after being elected would be poor planning that puts us all in peril. He cannot discount the disruptions wrought by the ICC proceedings against him albeit temporarily. Even CEOs of companies including the late Steve Jobs institute risk mitigation and business continuity plans to ensure the posterity of their companies, it is the prudent thing to do. Kenya is no different; in fact, in the grand scheme of things, we deserve way better care. Therefore, I don't see how Uhuru, in good conscience, can knowingly subject the country to a potential void in government when he knows or should know it would be calamitous, if it is true that Ruto will be his running mate- then it is just wrong. To pick William Ruto as a running mate would be irresponsible and counter to our belief that he is a thoughtful and strategic leader.
Uhuru Kenyatta must show the public that he has considered and mitigated all risks associated with his run for president, established necessary contingency as well as government continuity plans- a president and vice president both facing charges and simultaneously attending court proceedings in a foreign country right after being elected would be poor planning that puts us all in peril. He cannot discount the disruptions wrought by the ICC proceedings against him albeit temporarily. Even CEOs of companies including the late Steve Jobs institute risk mitigation and business continuity plans to ensure the posterity of their companies, it is the prudent thing to do. Kenya is no different; in fact, in the grand scheme of things, we deserve way better care. Therefore, I don't see how Uhuru, in good conscience, can knowingly subject the country to a potential void in government when he knows or should know it would be calamitous, if it is true that Ruto will be his running mate- then it is just wrong. To pick William Ruto as a running mate would be irresponsible and counter to our belief that he is a thoughtful and strategic leader.
The Politics of Convenience:
We have seen this movie umpteen times before, the game has not changed, just the actors have switched roles and this is yet another hurdle we have to grapple with. We now have a spike in sporadic but sustained episodes of deadly violence across the country which our security apparatus appear completely overwhelmed by and unable to handle. And with so much at stake and the country still reeling from the relics of the 2007/20008 PEV and the uncertainty surrounding the ICC cases, our politics must be about preserving the nation as a whole- not individual preservation. We need a law and order president, we need a protector and someone who will restore calm and security to the nation while preserving our civil liberties, an economist to continue the economic genius of president Mwai Kibaki, a steady hand that doesn't feed into the paranoia that is crippling free speech. If this election is primarily rooted on defeating Prime Minister Raila Odinga and no real substance is attached to the men's candidacies, I say we are doomed. The playbook appears the same as Raila Odinga's 2002 & 2007 playbook, we expect better otherwise we might as well give Raila a shot at this thing~ I mean what is the difference?
My point is, I want to see a distinction between Uhuru's politics in 2012 and Raila Odinga's politics of 2002 and 2007 and not a regurgitation of the same political formula that ransomed the country and held all of us hostage; I do not want to see the next president beholden to MOUs or special interests. Against this backdrop, I question the wisdom of a Uhuru/Ruto ticket, I hear that Ruto has already staked a claim to half the cabinet when their ticket wins, I mean as in seriously! Such an arrangement would be an indelible error in judgment we cannot afford. The tide is clearly in Uhuru Kenyatta's favor this time around- and with all this goodwill, his politics must transparent and above board and in the open, not in some boardrooms with Ruto or any other contender for that matter. Raila Odinga tried that brand of politics and look where it has gotten us, nowhere but endless pain and acrimony, I say enough!
I also want to make it perfectly clear that there is a distinction between the presidential ticket, which comprises of a candidate and his/her running mate, and an alliance. URP and TNA political alliance would be perfectly fine while Uhuru Kenyatta- William Ruto ticket would not for reasons outlined above. Now if Ruto insists that he must be Uhuru's running mate for URP to support the TNA candidate, then I am sure this would be the right alliance to begin with.
Perhaps it is the ethnic arithmetic that is driving the union but without slighting the significance of the Kalenjin vote, I think that Ruto ought to be able to support Uhuru Kenyatta without himself being on the ticket, I mean consider the alternatives. Additionally, I do not think that Uhuru critically needs Ruto's support to win Rift Valley against Prime Minister Raila Odinga. The notion that Rift Valley as a whole or the Kalenjin community is a homogeneous political enclave subject to the whims of Ruto or any one politician for that matter is preposterous. I know Kalenjins to be fiercely independent, not a herd of sheep. Even granting the ideas that they can be herded for argument sake, Kalenjins have every reason to vote for any candidate including Uhuru Kenyatta, with or without Ruto's endorsement. Methinks the tide is Uhuru's favor this time around; let's not forget that Uhuru's father, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta bequeathed power to Daniel Arap Moi the Kalenjin which they held for 24 years, by contrast- their support for Raila Odinga in 2007 didn't turn out so great. They got Jail, deaths, mass evictions, the ICC- I mean facts speak for themselves and it is fair to believe the community is open to try new ideas and new candidates; but that is their democratic prerogative. My point is, no community, the Kalenjin, Kikuyu, Luo, Luyha, Kisii, etc. is pawn of any politician.
Finally, I just want to say that I expect Uhuru's leadership to shine through this test; I also hope that Ruto will set aside personal ambition for the good of the country. I expect both of these men to act appropriately and show maturity in the way they conduct the forthcoming campaigns. Most Kenyans have already expressed their support for them, my advise gentlemen is simple, do not gamble with Kenya's future, do not abuse Kenyans' goodwill, and do not take any of these things for granted. We expect a lawful and orderly transition of power to the next government, we want continuity and if you believe you are the man for the job, you must prove it and I will it at that for now.
http://www.ochwangi.com/?p=574
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