Congratulations Mr. President-Elect on your re-election as the President of the Republic of Kenya. Your victory is a reflection of the public’s confidence in your leadership. As you embark upon your second and final term in office, I wish to remind of the importance of leaving a legacy once your final term in office comes to an end.
Mr. President, these elections have left the country divided. Your first term in office pledge to promote national cohesion was not realized. Ethnic division remained strong and unequal distribution of State appointments created a strong sense of marginalization. The President is a symbol of national unity thus your final term in office should aim at realizing this. As you have publicly declared your support for the realization of the two-thirds gender rule, it is my hope that your cabinet will meet the gender parity stipulated in the Constitution of Kenya. Please work to ensure that State appointments are not only based on merit but are equally distributed among the 43 ethnic communities that form part of this great republic.
Dear Mr. President, please help heal this nation. The Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) Report continues to gather dust over the last four years since being handed over to you. We do acknowledge the bold step you took, during your first tenure, to publicly apologize to Kenyans on behalf of your Government and of previous administrations, as recommended by TJRC, more though needs to be done. Your promise to set aside KES. 10 billion as reparations to victims is yet to be realized. Sentiments by your deputy that implementing the TJRC report would open old wounds is misguided. Continued failure by your administration to implement this very important report only worsens the risk of retaining the country in a state of negative peace. Please implement the TJRC Report.
The rising cost of living remains a deep concern to many Kenyans. Unemployment is another issue that needs your urgent attention. One in every six young Kenyans is unemployed. Your Government should develop strategies to buffer Kenyans from the confluence of factors that currently make life difficult for so many Kenyans. A starting point could be eradicating corruption.
Widespread corruption in Kenya’s public sector is an issue we can’t ignore. Your first tenure was marred by numerous corruption scandals that saw individuals, some from your immediate and extended family, and private companies implicated. Kenya ranks as the sixth most corrupt nation in the world and first in Africa according to the 2017 biennial EY Fraud survey. Such statistics are disappointing. In the words of one great Chinua Achebe, one of the truest tests of integrity is its blunt refusal to be compromised. Mr. President, please do away with those who risk staining your legacy with the filth of corruption.
With a 54 percent win, your latest election victory was declared through a democratic process. A people can though not be said to exist in a healthy democracy where their civic space is continually chocked rather than protected. Mr. President, your first five years in office saw the space for civic engagement shrink through use of laws, policies and government practices that limit the ability of Kenyans to exercise their rights and the freedom of civil society organisations (CSOs) to operate without fear or intimidation. Your first term in office saw a blatant refusal by your administration to commence the Public Benefits Organisations (PBO) Act 2013. The Act seeks to create a conducive work environment for CSOs to partner with the State and also operate freely. It is our hope that your final term in office will see the commencement of the long-awaited PBO Act.
In the words of Myles Munroe – True leaders don’t invest in buildings. Jesus never built a building. They invest in people. Why? Because success without a successor is failure. So your legacy should not be in buildings, programs, or projects; your legacy must be in people. By uniting and healing the nation, easing the cost of living, incorporating a culture of integrity in our society and creating a conducive environment for Kenyans to exercise their democratic rights, you will leave a legacy when your final term in office comes to an end. Hongera Mr. President Elect, and all the best.