Malindi Kericho by-elections were unnecessary

The Kajiado, Malindi and Kericho by-elections were unnecessary. These three mini-polls were occasioned intentionally by the ruling coalition as a selling point for the newly formed party JAP.

While it has to be understood governments are formed by party politics, Kenyans who gave the Jubilee alliance the mandate to deliver on their promise during the 2013 elections are becoming increasingly uneasy with the coalition's quest to consolidate party politics at the expense of development.

This was evident in Kericho campaigns where residents told Deputy President William Ruto to his face that the Government has not fulfilled much of the promises it made to the area residents in terms of infrastructure and agriculture.

Tea, maize and dairy farming which have been their livelihood have been dwindling. Three years down the line, the only mantra they have been hearing from the Government is that money has been set a side. Indeed, a song has been coined ridiculing the Government of being a 'tumetenga' regime.

And as such, the residents of Kericho have spoken loud and clear that what they want is development and not politics. Only a few people from the community have been benefiting from the State appointments, something that forced the DP to make a public apology about unfulfilled development promises.

With Kericho and Malindi polls now over, Kenyans have to be reminded that the colossal amount of money that the Government has spent in the by-elections could have been invested in more tangible projects.

A lot of money is required to fund a by-election in terms of logistical preparation by the IEBC above the money spent by the politician using State resources. A lot of man hours are lost during campaigns.

The wasted funds could have been invested in more tangible projects. Many Kenyans are dying while waiting to go for chemotherapy and dialysis at Kenyatta Nation Hospital due to shortage of equipment.

Unconfirmed sources put the the total amount of money that has been used in the two by-elections by both sides of political divide at Sh1 billion.

What the Government has spent in the two by-elections in trying to gain political supremacy could have been saved to buy at least four extra machines to save the lives of cancer and kidney patients.

It is sad to see some children learning under trees with no classrooms in some parts of this country. To the Jubilee government, this is a misplaced priority in terms of the promises it made to the people of Kenya.

In spite of all the huge spending, nothing has been achieved as the status quo has remained.

Today the Government has reduced the county government budget which means many development projects in the counties will stagnate.

The level of corruption and looting public resources that is being reported has never been experienced in the history of this nation and yet the Government can go ahead and use public funds on misplaced priorities.

Let by-elections be caused by unfortunate events such as death or resignation but not Government induced and so much needed funds are wasted.