Copied from the United States, the state of the union address aims at explaining achievements made, challenges experienced and detailing future prospectives in an honest manner.
As President Uhuru Kenyatta addressed the nation, we expected him to be honest and speak the truth touching on meager successes of his administration while bringing to fore a litany of his failures and prescribing a solution to national challenges.
Which begs the question: Has Jubilee administration achieved much in the light of its promises to Kenyans? A few achievements can be enumerated. Security has improved, tourism has picked itself up from doldrums and the reformation of our barren education system is on course.
Despite its inadequacy, free maternity services have improved maternal health and initiation of Huduma centers has curtailed unnecessary red tape in accessing government services.
Unfortunately, a handful of Jubilee administration's successes have been overshadowed by unprecedented corruption that has severely dented the integrity of government institutions.
Moreover, Jubilee has elevated tribalism to a level where Kenyatta's tribe and his deputy Ruto's tribe are the biggest beneficiaries of government opportunities. This in contravention of the constitution that demands inclusivity that reflects the face of Kenya.
Additionally, under Jubilee administration, the cost of living has gone up with poor people suffering enormously as the middle class struggle to make a meaningful economic breakthrough. Inflation has skyrocketed with the Kenyan shilling depreciating badly against the US dollar.
The judiciary system has severely dilapidated due to bribery culture with the rich cutting corners around justice while the poor getting the maximum penalties prescribed in the law. Under Jubilee administration, the judiciary has created two sets of laws, one that dehumanizes the poor and another one that glorifies the rich.
Under Jubilee administration, Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has lost credibility to conduct free and fair elections. With IEBC as a referee, Kenya is staring at a disaster that could morph into a serious post-election dispute that could make 2007 election violence look like a Christmas party.
If I were to rate Jubilee on a scale of 1-10, 1 being excellent and 10 being terrible, I would rate jubilee at 4. By and large, the state of our union is much weaker and urgent intervention is needed to make things right.
The Standard Group Plc is a
multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper
print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The
Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key
influence in matters of national and international interest.
join