Now win over the confidence of all Kenyan taxpayers

 

Nominated MP John Mbadi when he appeared before the Parliamentary Committee on Appointment for vetting as Cabinet Secretary National Treasury on Aug 3, 2024. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

During the vetting of President William Ruto’s old and new Cabinet nominees, Kenyans were surprised at how fast some individuals have increased their net worth.

In about 20 months, majority of returnees to the Cabinet fold, raised their wealth by more than Sh100 million. That is not a minor feat while most Kenyans are barely surviving the harsh economy. Most of the nominees attributed this to appreciation of their assets and businesses, over the period.

However, the majority of Kenyans are hardly meeting basic needs. Unemployment is at an all-time high, where even university graduates cannot get internships because most companies are struggling financially. Hardly a month passes without a company announcing a redundancy or giving a profit warning through the mass media.

When there are no jobs, it means the economy is dwindling. Indeed, a recent survey showed that about 900,000 youth are idle. This is despite having graduated from learning initiations, hoping to get a job and help their struggling parents and other siblings.   

Still, the new Cabinet Secretaries must be alive to the circumstances that brought them to office. The youth protested against corruption, incompetence and favouritism in public offices. The Gen Z shed blood and lost lives on the streets seeking accountability and prudent use of public resources.

Therefore, the new CSs have not been rewarded with jobs to continue the status quo. They must deliver services and create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, make profit and provide the youth with decent opportunities.

Majority of the graduates want to work in their country and not necessarily seek greener pastures abroad. That is why they have not asked for positions in the Cabinet or other arms of government. They also do not want to be part of the political elite. Not now. They just want systems to work, be efficient, provide basic services and win public confidence.

The Gen Z and majority of Kenyans want their taxes to provide basic health services, quality education and much-needed infrastructure. They want the 47 county governments to be accountable for every shilling sent to the grassroots. They want health facilities to have medicine, health workers and decent services.

This accountability at all levels of government will spur economic growth across the country and create enough opportunities for everyone. The new Ruto Cabinet, being part of the Executive, should set an example of efficiency and dedication to the welfare of the public.

Should the CSs insist on honest, hard work and prudent use of resources in their dockets, all government institutions will follow suit and change governance in Kenya. They will have given Kenyans a future even the Gen Z will be proud of. It is possible to turn around the country’s fortunes after the sacrifices made by Gen Z.