It’s less imperative to scrutinize facts adjoining fictions of arguments between the government and the opposition. It seems that no political affiliation is too wrong to be right or too right to be wrong. Our judgments are purely based on where one stands or sits within Kenyan political circles.
Few if there are, can make judgments based on independent verification of details on matters of law and truth. In fact, neither the opposition nor the government can speak a “definite truth” on any national agenda.
In Kenya, people tend to acknowledge rhetoric and shenanigans more than facts and matters of law. One man’s enemy of development is another man’s hero of the same. One man’s high priest of corruption is another man’s lord of development.
Nevertheless, truth and fact can never be buried, and as the Holy Bible says, “truth will always set us free.” Nearly every week holds a new chapter of contention and controversy in Kenyan politics. It’s a two dimensional scrimmage that often leave many people confused, mediocre and foolish. Of course, these vices play so well for politicians who hate educated voters.
In a country where the government believes that it can never be wrong, and opposition believes that it’s ever right, facts and fictions have got similar code-names, colours and tastes. Right from the formation of the ‘UhuRuto’ government in 2013, scandals and squabbles have formed part of our daily bread.
Criticism of every scandal is often met by equal measure of force by President Uhuru Kenyatta’s foot-soldiers. Regardless of the sincerity, facts and truth in any denigration, the rule in President Uhuru Kenyatta’s government is, “Deny. Deny. Deny,” and of late the president have sorted another rule, “constructive criticism.”
It isn’t true that Opposition is clean of any faults, but the very first great step in any leadership is to acknowledge the fact that not everyone will agree with you, especially if you are a government. The president has however asked the Opposition for undefined “constructive criticism”. Nearly on every issue of national importance, the President has been keen not to allow any form of criticism – terming every aspect of Opposition’s views as derailing, unnecessary and “offering-no-solution.”
In a dramatic escalation of the political fallout over trade agreements with Uganda, President Kenyatta faced Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga at a Pan-African meeting in Nairobi and said: “Bwana Raila Odinga, let us work together. If you want to accuse me, do it and do so without taking me back. When you say that I went to talk about bringing cheap sugar into Kenya, which cheap sugar are you talking about? “I say that with due respect and humility to my elder brother. Tomorrow, you would be here (President) and you will expect respect. We can’t criticize each other for the sake of criticising each other,” Mr. Kenyatta, clearly irritated, added.
In many instances, the president has been right and going by matters of facts, the Opposition has lacked respect for the president.
This has made people to sometimes not take the Opposition too seriously – knowing that their agenda are driven by hate, rage and anger.
The president is however very wrong to pretend that he is the only one who knows how, when and where he can be criticized. This so-called “constructive criticism” is undefined; it’s unknown to people, but as a leader, the president should not expect a better criticism. If anything he should be prepared to receive worse critics of his life since that’s what politics is made of.
The Opposition should also be made aware that the entire country; the entire world is watching. Criticism should be done with utmost respect since everyone deserves respect. Speaking for the sake of it – without facts on the table can only be detrimental. Unrelenting hate can only plunge a country into a sea of turmoil.
