Early campaigns making mince meat of Kibaki directive

Beauttah Omanga

President Kibaki has more than once called on politicians seeking to succeed him to hold their horses, but I fear they might simply ignore him. World over, leaders who are leaving office gradually loss grip as the country shifts to moving on without them as the chief executive. The President’s recent declaration that he won’t be throwing his weight behind any politician is not only a setback to PM Raila Odinga but also to all G7 presidential contenders.

To Raila because in some quarters, many expected Kibaki to declare "Raila Tosha" to repay the Langata MP’s Uhuru Park declaration, to which is credited the Othaya MP’s ascendancy to the throne.

The G7 has made Kenyans believe they have the President’s blessing even as they undercut each other away from the cameras by telling their inner circles and schemers that "it was their turn to succeed Kibaki", contrary to what they declare at open rallies.

Given the above scenarios, all those eyeing the Presidency are not about to tone down their campaign rhetoric with the general election approximately a year away. To them, it is "Kibaki for none of us, Voters for all of us".

With that in mind, the politicians have hit the road running to State House. My concern is, the majority are using State resources, to which taxpayers will hold the outgoing president accountable.

The President should simply stop playing to the public gallery by telling those involved to stop early campaigns and summon them to a meeting and tell them off to their faces.

Total disregard

He has constitutional powers to stop the Ministers starting with the VP, the PM, Finance minister, Assistant Minister Peter Kenneth and Education PS James ole Kiyiapi, and others from using State resources in early campaigns. Even though some might argue that they only speak as go about official duties, the President can still bring this to a halt.

And when the electoral law take effect for it states clearly that campaign finances will be controlled? At what point will that requirement apply?

Alternatively, Kibaki could sack all those who have declared an interest in State House so that they all start and operate on the same level.

Those who are not in government offices like Martha Karua, Mutava Musyimi and William Ruto are operating from disadvantaged point if the campaigns were to continue in total disregard of President Kibaki’s advice as those in office as ministers or civil servants hide under the banner of "inspecting development projects" to meet the electorate.

The writer is the Bureau Chief at the Standard Group, Nakuru.

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