Uhuru, Ruto must stop sending unclear signals on national issues

By BEN ARUM

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy, William Ruto are in a state of deceitful pragmatism concerning realities confronting their government. Just a few weeks ago, at the height of the teachers’ strike, Hon William Ruto negotiated with the teachers’ representatives, the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) and presumably reached an agreement. That agreement seemed to be outside the awareness and approval of the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Professor Jacob Kaimenyi who almost simultaneously gave out a decree contradicting Mr Ruto’s negotiated position.

He ordered all public schools closed when Ruto’s and Knut’s position was that teachers go back to school and learning resume immediately. This meant that government had two positions on the same issues. We all read internal disagreement within government some even read mischief.

Government is one and should have one voice. Every time we see Uhuru and Ruto’s government not working in tandem, we remember the campaign period when they formed a seamless bond and worked timelessly to win. When they had won, they thought of government as a school where uniforms are worn, issuing statements together and parting each other with comrade jokes. That picture is now distorted by a kind of deceit. The two allow cases that could be sorted out early to reach their desperate levels.

Then William Ruto appears to find some compromise. But Ruto’s achievements only last for hours before what actually appears to be government position is announced and gazetted. Ruto’s recent meeting with governors is a clear demonstration of this double-speak.

Governors left his presence knowing the subject of county roads was sorted out. Money would be released to governors for roads projects. The function of county roads was fully devolved. Kenya Rural Roads Authority and Kenya Urban Roads Authority would be re-assigned new roles within the counties. When the transition authority gazetted the devolved functions, the county roads remained with the National Government. This is confusion. It needed not arise if there is a true willingness for county governments to assume their rightful functions. Ruto is coming out as the one who is always sent to cool the embers. Then the real executive comes out almost deceitfully to stoke them again.

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy should learn the limits of pragmatic deceit. They tell governors one thing and tell parliamentarians another and conclude it all by sanctioning executive decisions that are a recipe for chaos.

The roads agencies were established under the roads act 2007 and heir roles cannot be subjected to confusing signals of executive indecisions and deceit.

For governors, it is important to realise William Ruto is becoming difficult to believe. He listens so that he slows down your demands.