Jubilee administration should balance appointments

NAIROBI: President Uhuru Kenyatta’s recent public appointments have elicited a lot of criticism from a cross-section of Kenyans. While the very pertinent question of equity in public appointments has been raised, the Government argues that emphasis should be on whether the persons appointed have the ability to discharge the mandate in the positions they are called upon to serve.

This argument misses the point because it becomes a matter of public concern when the perception of favouritism gains ascendancy. It is a mockery of the youth and the promise made to them by the Jubilee government that it would actively engage them in the day-to-day running of Government and decision making when septuagenarians are appointed to key positions at the expense of the more educated youth.

Even though the older generation boasts of experience, they cannot add any value that the more tech-savvy youth wouldn’t. In any case, some of the appointees did not acquit themselves well in positions they previously held and cannot therefore be expected to make much difference.

The Jubilee administration must walk the digital talk and ensure equity to avoid creating unnecessary tension that only serves to polarise the country as politicians take advantage. Rewarding cronies is no longer fashionable.