OVER TO YOU MR PRESIDENT: END ETHNOCENTRISM

President Uhuru Kenyatta has not acted presidential of late. He has allowed personal feelings overtake national goals and even admitted being angered by a decision of an independent institution. He is a president for all Kenyans but is currently feeding from ethnocentrism. For instance, he is avoiding to visit Nyanza region which is perceived as opposition stronghold and he fears embarrassment. This is not presidential.

The current political crisis is just a tip of the iceberg and it will take Uhuru Kenyatta to stop burying his head in the sand and go beyond being a competitor and act as a statesman.

What does he need to do? The president should initiate a dialogue with key players including his political archenemy Raila Odinga. Other actors would include the business community, key institutions such as the judiciary and the electoral body, IEBC. 

It appears that Uhuru Kenyatta advisers hold the position that negotiation will portray the President and Jubilee Party as weak but it could do more to calm the country. 

The Kenyatta and Odinga families have had historical political battles that go back as early as the founding of the Nation. From their fathers, Jomo Kenyatta, the first Prime Minister and President respectively to Jaramogi Odinga, the first Vice President; the two always locked horns and precipitated a national stand-off just like their sons are doing now. It is time they buried the hatchet and let the country move on.

It is upon you, the President, to rise above partisan politics and act as the statesman you are. You want to lead the whole nation and not a half of the nation. Over to you Mr President.