Why the Embu nation needs to rethink political marriages and future

Politically speaking, Embu County, Land Of Opportunities as it prides itself is a mere garnish in the GEMA outfit. The county for a long time has helped persons, parties, and coalitions ascend to power but have always been sidelined or forgotten rather when the government structure is laid out.

Two things are probable; the political leaders who represent the community are not aggressive and firm or they are selfish.

Below are reasons why the County needs to rethink its future politically especially political marriages; 

Key Positions

Since the times of Assistant minister and Runyenjes legislator, Late Hon Kamwithi Munyi, there have been very few influential positions given to this part of Kenya. Something that should worry the community (albeit premature/too early) is that the only Cabinet Secretary from the region seems to have been dropped in the ongoing CS nominations by the president. 

Is it that the community enters into pre-election arrangements without demands and conditions or is it that the political leaders from the county lack vision and ambition? Young and vibrant leaders, for instance, Hon Franklin Mwendani, Hon Eric Muchangi aka Karemba Raymond Kinyua, Hon Morris Nyagah aka Collo, Hon Ibrahim Swaleh, Hon Steve Simba et al should take over already and negotiate for a better position/share of national government. 

Just Statistics

Politics is a game of numbers. The most popular statistical school of thought in Kenya's politics is the tyranny of numbers. Communities with presidential ambitions go to Embu community to seek support... the communities are keener on the number of voters pre-election. Once their goal is attained, the Embu nation is forgotten. 

The County needs firm and ambitious leaders who can negotiate for a share of the government. The leaders must also have presidential ambitions and tendencies...if not presidential ambitions, they should be able to influence decision making in GEMA set up. 

President and Deputy President 

Whenever names of probable and potential President and Deputy Presidents are thrown around, you will never hear someone from Embu! This is a clear indication that the county is presently led by myopic individuals. I admired Leonard Muriuki, a young Embu leader who took on Governor Wambora and M. L. Kivuti in the recently concluded general election.

He might have lost but he left a mark. He is visionary, informed and has energy. He is probably the future of the community. More Muriukis need to be thrust to the national stage for the whole nation to appreciate and support them. The old guards are very contented with the regional political positions that they hold. 

Bundled up 

Embu community identity is not clear, it's ambiguous. Some people confuse the community with Meru community perhaps because of the proximity of the two counties or the dialects. This is the simple fact that the community through its leaders has "accepted" to be swallowed by the larger Meru community. Could be this is due to lack of a vision

Abrasive Politicians

In a country where politics is a highly ethnized game, the communities depend on their leaders to deliver them to the "promised land." Truly speaking Embu community lacks such individuals. The present-day leaders are not abrasive as they ought to be. This leaves the people helpless and confused. 

In conclusion, Kenya is not like the proverbial animal farm where some communities are 'more equal' than others. Every community deserves a share of the national cake. The share can only be realized if the elected leaders step up and fight for their people. 

Hon Charles Bazenga