Kenya is bigger than all of us, but how do we slay the demon of self-interest Mr President?

Last Sunday, we the people of Kenya and the world at large ushered in a new year, 2012, an hour of great expectations that saw our leaders send messages of goodwill.

A captivating word of wisdom from President Mwai Kibaki is that Kenya is bigger than any single individual.

On his part, Prime Minister Raila Odinga calls for a radical shift in Kenya’s geopolitics by ending the culture of election violence, while embracing a new culture of free and fair elections for national development.

Public Watchdog adds: You are right Mr President; Kenya is biggest! Further, free and fair elections must become an indispensable expectation, and as such election violence must never occur again.

The challenge, however, rest not, on the power of the spoken word, but on our individual and collective resolve to put such words of wisdom in practice with respect to the management of our national affairs.

Why? What fails us as a people is not our knowledge, or lack of it, but our continued failures due to our willful culture of pursuing vested causes and self aggrandizements, at the expense of wider national and public interest.

The pertinent question begs: Why has this self-serving culture continued even when the call of duty, responsibilities and expectation of the people is hope for a generation of selfless leaders and transformative leaders. What, then, are these pertinent issues?

First, the truth must be said in that our deeds speak volumes, not only on what we are and believe, but more importantly, with respect to what we are not, no matter how many times such words of wisdom are repeated. Why? Has President Mwai Kibaki put the interests of the people or country ahead of his own or those of his country, his close friends or any other interests for that matter?

This is a question that represents a fundamental matter that the people of this country must begin to confront and debate and introspect. The answers can at best be characterised as mixed, evidenced by lopsided appointments in favour of those from his community in key public sector organisations during his presidency.

But on infrastructure, particularly in the road sub sector, the Grand coalition Government has delivered and will certainly count on Kibaki’s positive legacies. However, a true characterisation of our leaders in any audit and evaluation of performance must remain fair and objective, no matter the temptations to be flippant.

History has, however, shown us that in retrospect, we are all wiser if we choose to learn from our past. Whilst our leaders on the face value appear to mean well, over time they allow themselves to be captured by influence peddlers.

These include close advisers who claim to be protecting the reigns of power, but in reality are pursuing vested interests and wealth accumulation at the expense of public good.

But consequentially, it eventually also work to the detriment of those vested with political power and authority, if they choose to exercise such powers for the benefits of only those in proximity of power for reasons including tribalism, cronyism or any other vested reasons.

Second, it is encouraging that the President has made a public undertaking and commitment assuring the people that following the end of his two-term limit —cumulatively ten years — he is now prepared to oversee a smooth transition to the fourth President of Kenya.

This represents a new dawn for Kenya, building on the commitment demonstrated by his predecessor now former President Daniel Arap Moi.

It is now the people’s expectation that the President and indeed the Prime Minister as coalition partners will accelerate the remaining institutional and legislative pillars to ensure and assure free and fair elections.

Why? It is the actions that will actualise the pledges and build trust and confidence in our leaders. Yes, it is now the time for the collective leadership to walk the talk for a progressive Kenya!

A smooth transition is necessary for peace and stability, and remains among the acknowledge legacies of the former President Moi.

Can President Kibaki overcome now entrenched divisive political machinations and tribal politics as part of practical steps towards guaranteeing national stability and assuring successful transition?

The personal and political will rests not on anyone else’s shoulders, but those of President Kibaki. He has assured the people that he stands ready to hand over power to a new leadership, chosen by the people of Kenya in fair and democratic elections.

Third, as a retiring President, Kibaki has a unique and indeed historic opportunity to avoid partisan politics and concentrate on bringing national harmony and cohesion build on the constitutional dispensation.

Thus it is incumbent upon him as the President to elect a right path so as to avoid polarisation on narrow partisan issues.

Why? Because this approach will put the President in a position that he can become a trusted custodian of transition to a new leadership.

This is the hope and aspiration of all Kenyans underpinned by the dictates of the new constitutional order for a progressive Kenya, this being a matter of compelling public interest. We end this column by wishing you all a fulfilling 2012.

The author is an opinion leader who prefers to remain anonymous.

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