Alliances formed by politicians will only serve their individual interests

By Kiprotich Rotuk

Kenyans have been taken for a ride by the ongoing political party alliances that seem to border on individuals and ethnic groups rather than policy and the desire for national unity.

But one alliance that is sticking out is that between Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto.

For one, the two talk of a 50-50 sharing of Cabinet posts and other appointments in Government. But they forget the new Constitution spells out how the ministers (now secretaries) will be appointed.

It will not be like before when a president comes out one day and gives a list of ministers.

This time, the party proposes the names of the secretaries based on relevant academic qualifications and experience. The names are then vetted by the concerned agencies and the public also allowed to give an input on why they think one should be appointed or not.

Then the shortlisted candidates are forwarded to Parliament for vetting by various committees. Those shortlisted still faces a vote in the plenary.

This will happen with all major appointments, just like the ones we are seeing within the vetting of judges. Thus, for one to tell you that they are going to have a 50-50 Cabinet sharing is a fallacy. What if URP proposes 11 names, but only two pass the test? There is nothing like party replacement.

This is also the case with the Speaker and the Leader of Majority in Parliament.

How do you know that the alliance will have the majority before the elections? The same majority is needed to elect a Speaker.

Unfortunately, Ruto had told the Kalenjin that he was going for the presidency and they strongly believed him. That is why the Kalenjin followed him from ODM to UDM, which they invested in emotionally for two years. Then they followed him to URP when it became difficult to take over UDM. He now wants the Kalenjin to follow him to TNA, even after abandoning the presidential race to become a running mate.

Ruto is on record for castigating Henry Kosgey and Franklin Bett on the running mate issue.

He stated that, “I have never seen an athlete competing for a second position and that a serious person goes for number one.” Why is he now desperate to be number two or a running mate?

Has he been compromised beyond return? How realistic is the talk of peace between communities in Rift Valley? Historical, economic, social and policial injustices that were largely responsible for fuelling post-election violence are yet to be addressed. Kenyans hoped the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) would have released its report before elections for Kenyans to know the truth, heal and reconcile. But this has turned out to be a dream.

Ruto had also mobilised the Kalenjin to vote against the new Constitution using propaganda that people would lose their land in Rift Valley. Some of the Kalenjins then voted against a document that has turned out to be progressive. Till today, he has not initiated a single amendment in Parliament to correct the sections he said were flawed. Does he want to cheat the Kalenjins twice to remain in oblivion? Not again.

Besides Ruto, the candidacy of the two is poisonous to Kenya in as far as international relations is concerned. One question is: If Uhuru resigned from being the Finance Minister after the International Criminal Court confirmed charges against him, how come he is going for a higher post (presidency) while circumstances have not changed? How can you not be fit to hold the Ministry of Finance but be fit to be president with the charges of crimes against humanity still hanging over your head?

The TNA-URP alliance is about the interests of Uhuru and Ruto and has little to do with the welfare of their two communties and the rest of Kenyans.

The writer is a political activist based in Kericho