Will Kenya enjoy some smooth sailing after Uhuru's swearing in?

Uhuru Kenyatta took the oath that was administered by the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Anne Amadi. (Photo: Courtesy)

We must first be alive to the fact  that Kenya is not the first country in the world to have a competitive and controversial election. The Americans have been through the same waters and have emerged united after the turbulence, with the most recent case being President Donald Trump's defeat of Hillary Clinton in what was widely viewed as a controversial election.

As we speak, we have a government in place and people know that. The other good thing is that the President made it clear in his speech that he would be reaching out to the Opposition because we also appreciate that the Opposition is good for any democracy.

We have a good opposition and we encourage them to exercise their rights within the precincts of the law. And we are confident that Kenya will rise as a model nation in the region.

The Opposition has been on a path of economic boycotts and civil disobedience but I feel that those won’t work because Kenyans are tired of politicians and politicking throughout.

For example, if you asked the average Kenyan today, he is more concerned about what he will do for Christmas and January school fees than about politics.

At this point, we can encourage Opposition leader Raila Odinga to be a democrat. We know his team came into the game expecting to win, but it went the other way. He has a role to play in our great nation.

 

Mr Kagwe is a former Information minister