Sideshows are masking Kenya's real problems

Azimio leader Raila Odinga and President William Ruto. [File, Standard]

This is one of the most difficult times in Kenya's history. The country is wracked by all manner of challenges. People are starving in many parts of this country as drought, which has persisted for up to three years in the Horn of Africa region, continues to bite.

Water and food are becoming rare commodities. There are reports of malnourished children on the verge of death in northern Kenya. The ground has been rendered bare by the scorching sun and the landscape in the drought-stricken areas is dotted with skeletons of livestock and wild animals that have starved to death.

The cost of living has spiralled to unimaginable levels. Some people cannot afford two meals a day. To add salt to the injury, the government has warned that the cost of electricity, gas and even water will go up any time soon. Cholera outbreaks have piled on the agony of Kenyans. Kenyans are crying for a way out of this quagmire.

Unfortunately, the people who are supposed to give us the way forward are engaged more in political shadow-boxing than in seeking solutions to our country's most pressing problems.

President William Ruto and his allies are busy talking about the tax obligations of the Kenyatta family, and even citing the non-existent Estate Duty tax. On the other hand, Azimio leader Raila Odinga and his allies are running about town screaming that his election victory was stolen.

The truth of the matter is that such talk is pushing the problems that need to be tackled urgently to the back-burner. It makes them appear less urgent. Kenyatta family's failure to pay taxes - if that is indeed the case - is not the most urgent issue for Kenya. In any case, such matters should be handled by Kenya Revenue Authority without being politicised.

Raila's alleged stolen election victory - even if true - is not the most urgent problem either. If anything, thousands of his supporters who attend his protest political gatherings have no way of authenticating the veracity of the information reportedly handed to Azimio by an unidentified IEBC whistleblower. Surely, there should be a way of ascertaining these claims without whipping up public emotions. One way is by demanding an audit of the election results by reputable local or international firms.

A visitor to this country, bombarded by current political hubbub, may be forgiven for thinking the issues raised by our political leaders are the most pressing. Which is unfortunate because behind the scenes, people are stifled by the high cost of living and are dying of hunger and thirst.

While it is impossible to force our leaders to stop politicking, we urge them to speak more about the myriad problems in this country and how they can be solved.

Kenyans are left with many questions when all they hear from their leaders are verbal tirades that are most likely aimed at self-aggrandisement, self-preservation or even revenge. Although they are free to fight their wars, leaders must also fight for the lives of Kenyans during these hard times.