Ruto’s route to State House rough

I tend to agree with analysts that Eldoret North MP William Ruto’s political prospects will largely depend on the outcome of the ICC ruling on whether he has a case to answer or not over alleged involvement in post-election violence of 2007/08.

For now, Ruto and the five other suspects, their supporters and the Kenyan public are anxiously waiting for the ruling to be delivered within the next ten days. Ruto is charged alongside another presidential candidate Uhuru Kenyatta, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance.

According to observers, the outcome will radically change our political landscape. For now, the contenders are busy strengthening their political parties but also they have given strong indication they will form a united political front to ensure one of their own succeeds President Kibaki.

Besides Uhuru and Ruto, the other two political heavyweights teaming up under the banner of PNU alliance are Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka and Internal Security Minister George Saitoti. The latter two have also declared interest for the presidency.

So far, reports indicate the team has crafted a number of strategies: firstly to field a single presidential candidate with the hope of winning in the first round. Given that in second round it is only first and second most popular candidates who will participate in the race, the team hopes to mobilise and rally massive support behind their chosen candidate.

Community betrayed

A look at Ruto’s presidential bid and the challenges he has encountered ever since he declared his candidature reveals much. It all begun after his falling out with ODM leader Raila Odinga whom he accused of betrayal and being untrustworthy and malicious. Ruto not only blamed Raila for being behind all his woes and tribulations but also accused him of betraying his Kalenjin community. This, in spite of the fact the Kalenjins rallied support for Raila during the 2007 elections.

In addition, Ruto cited some members who were unfairly sacked from the Government. There were also claims some youth, who allegedly participated in the post election violence, could not be accounted for. For these reasons, it was clear Ruto and the MPs allied to him have had enough and they were not ready to stay in the party that did not appreciate their role in it. It is no doubt Ruto stood firmly behind Raila after the ODM’s ‘stolen victory’.

When Ruto led MPs to ditch ODM for UDM, they never anticipated to encounter any opposition. For Ruto, he had made the right choice because he was returning to what he termed his "other home". Notably, he and Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo were the founder members of the UDM, a party formed in aftermath of 1992 General Election.

However, for now, it is clear the new leadership of UDM is not ready to accept Ruto. Ever since he announced he would vie for presidency on the party ticket, a cabal of registered officials have not only frustrated and opposed his planned effort to revitalise the party but also they have vowed to invoke the provisions of the Constitution to ensure he was locked out.

Those eyeing the elective seats are required by new law to formally declare their candidature eight months before the elections. Although it is on record Ruto has disowned ODM, the officials still insist that he is a bona fide official of ODM. In fact, he is still a deputy party leader.

On his part, Ruto has blamed the external forces who he said are using UDM officials to frustrate his presidential bid. Ruto has, however, vowed to remain on course and fight to the bitter end.

But in view of foregoing, it is time for him to embrace pragmatism and change strategies. For me, he has two options. One is to return to ODM and support whoever becomes the presidential candidate. Of course, he won’t be the one. The other option, which I am sure is the best for him, is to quit UDM and join another party whose ticket he would use to contest the presidency. As of now, there are strong indications this is the route he would follow.

{Joseph Mutua, Nairobi}

Invest in schools’ management to get results

Recent news that most public primary schools performed poorly in last year’s KCPE exams was not a surprise.

Much goes on in these schools out of the public eye, leaving a lot to be desired. There is much social, economical, political, religious and academic interference that works well with those with vested interests in the schools at the expense of teachers.

As a former teacher, I can attest there is a lot of interference in our schools that put the teaching and learning process at compromising levels. Think of a scenario where a school sponsor — mostly religious outfits — decides on who is to be the head of that school irrespective of track record. Worse still, the immediate community which is the chief source of student to these schools decide on who is to head the school or teach there.

This is compounded by the de-centralisation of teacher recruitment that allows nepotism and cronyism to thrive at the expense of performance.

This has resulted in high rate of teacher turnover in schools that has killed the morale of the otherwise good teachers who are usually threatened by the community or even fellow teachers using such terms as "Shule hii iko na wenyewe. Wewe utaenda utuwache hapa!" This creates fear in new teachers who want to improve standards in their new stations and thus compromising service delivery.

Conducive environment

Economically, the schools are poorly endowed with equipment and facilities. Many have poorly built classrooms and learners sit on stones yet we expect results. How?

For instance, there is this school in Kitutu Masaba, Nyamira County built by CDF but has no chairs and is roofed with rusty iron sheets. Simply, the environment is not conducive to produce ‘good’ results.

The situation is not any better for Nyakemincha Primary School from Nyamira that posted the worst results nationally.

Politicians are also to blame in the situation. They invest all their resources in politics at the expense of education for the society.

With all in these in tow, do we expect miracles from teachers?

Let our communities, churches, politicians and the Government be fair in managing public schools and we shall get results. Teachers could be blamed for poor results, but not in entirety.

{Josephat Metobo, US}

Blame parents, too, over pupils’ grades

The latest frenzy of wrathful parents storming schools because of poor exam results is inappropriate.

Display of violent aggression against teachers only encourages poor learner-teacher relations and lack of respect for the tutors. Violence should never be part of the solutions to the ailing education standards in the society.

As much as teachers should be blamed for poor results, parents have a role to play in ensuring satisfactory performance of their schools.

For instance, they need to address cases of disconnect between teachers and parents in assessing pupils. Parents should develop keen interest in pupils’ grades throughout the course rather than lying in wait for KCPE results.

The success of the young learners is dependant upon the efforts of the pupil, parents and teachers.

{Christopher Khamasi, Eldoret}