The French revolution took place 1789 when the people overthrew the monarchy and took control of the government. The extravagant spending by King Louis XVI had left the country on the brink of bankruptcy.
Apart from the royal coffers getting depleted, the king raised taxes, and the cost of living became unbearable.
The same scenario is evident in the Kenyan context, and it appears as if President Uhuru Kenyatta is struggling to fight corruption. His infamous phrase of “Sasa mnataka nifanye nini?” (So, what do you want me to do?) clearly showed his frustration.
In the same manner that King Louis XVI made poor financial decisions such as raising taxes in efforts to rectify France’s economic downturn, the Jubilee administration seems to be following a similar path.
It is only in Kenya where through increased taxes, prices of products rise all the time. In a bid that appears to be a quick way of servicing the Chinese loans, the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) order that compels importers to use the SGR brings more economic harm than good.
The proposal that motorists will pay every time they use the proposed JKIA-Westlands Expressway is another headache.
To garner support for the economic measures, King Louis XVI summoned the Estates-General who comprised of the clergy (first estate), nobility (second estate) and the commoners (third estate). Kenyans are also divided into social groups that constitute the rich, the middle class and the low class.
Through the Building Bridges Initiative, the President has joined hands with the opposition to enforce economic measures and constitutional changes. It can only be hoped that the new unity agenda will deliver desired reforms.
As Kenyans struggle with the tough economic times, constitutional and institutional reforms would be welcome. Kenyans are tired with the rise in the cost of living, the increased unemployment rate and the pride of the political class which seem less concerned about the sufferings of the common man.
In Kenya today, Wanjiku is said and her life made unbearable by a series of blundered in decision-making besides policy goofs. The tribal card that the political class use to divide Kenyans to serve their self-interest could soon be coming to an end. very election year, they use ethnicity to sow seeds of discord. This is unacceptable.
As jobs become a preserve for the few. The gap between the haves and the have-nots keeps widening.
It is beyond dispute that President Kenyatta means well for us but things seem to be crumbling before our very own eyes.
Ultimately, the tribal card will soon become unusable, and the poor will reclaim their country from the hands of looters.
Rogers Matikho, Narok
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