It is January 2008 and President Kibaki having just won a very closely contested general elections, disappears back into the inner rooms of State House where he was hidden prior to the hectic campaigns of late last year.
President Kibaki is of course the first president of Kenya to live in State House, Nairobi as well as work from there. The last ruler of the land to do so was in fact the last representative of the Queen shortly before Kenya gained her independence in 1963, governor Malom McDonald. Kenyatta preferred his Gatundu home and important cabinet meetings were even held there. Like the crisis meeting that planned Tom Mboya’s funeral shortly after his assassination in July 1969.
President Moi would also always retire to Kabarnet gardens off Ngong road at the end of hard day of work at State House Nairobi.
So as he starts his second and final term, it is work as usual for the aging president whose slogan Kazi inedelee lifted him to victory. And even at this early juncture of the second Kibaki administration, it is not too difficult to guess what should be expected.
More of the same really. Apart from a laid back president, the same economic policy that benefits only Kenyans who work hard (or is it only certain businessmen, especially those whose businesses heavily rely on imports because they have never passed on the benefits of cheaper imports to the public and have instead pocketed windfall profits). POnly that during this second term things are bound to be a little more difficult for them because disposable incomes are continuing to rapidly shrink under the Mwai Kibaki economic [policies which worked like a dream in the late 60s and 70s but are now a tad too old to tackle the many emerging problems the nation faces.
He Kibaki administration will of course take full advantage of the mandate given to them by the people of Kenya who in their vote clearly said that they do not want too much change and would like President Kibaki to continue where he left off.
Retired President Moi is expected to hold a major celebaration and thanksgiving celebration party in honor of the PNU election victory that he worked so hard to help achieve. Secretly it also means that his family fortunes are secure as they look to 2012 to influence the elections in Kenya again. Clearly the political ruling class of Kenya are firmlyin control and will remain in control for many years to come.
Influential cabinet Minister, Kiraitu Murungi wastes no time in releasing a barrage of statements to the press to gloat over the sweet PNU election victory. Naturally he builds on his pet phrase and this time says; “The PNU win proves that the so called Anglo Leasing scandal is indeed the scandal that never happened because as I have always said, the money was returned.”
PNU, as the President has always insisted did not want to make promises that they couldn’t keep. And that is why the issue of corruption did not feature anywhere in their manifesto. No point in lying to the people about zero tolerance to corruption when everybody knows that the nation has moved to 100% tolerance of corruption sustained by cosmetic moves like a KACA that specializes in prosecuting traffic policemen caught taking 50 bob bribes from motorists.
Nominated MP Chris Murungaru also releases a statement that leads to a screaming headline in the local newspapers; ODM RIGGED ME OUT AT KIENI.
The arrogance of other key cabinet ministers like Amos Kimunya (now nominated) and Martha Karua completes the picture. The wazee wa kazi trio of Njenga Karume and John Michuki are also very much around.
Oh.. but wait a minute. The country at least has a new slightly younger Vice President. According to the deal made with Kanu who were instrumental in the president’s victory, the VP had to come from KANU and the president chose well to ensure that his second administration does not go through the shaky beginning it witnessed in 2003.
Vice President Nicholas Biwott wastes no time in addressing the press to reassure Kenyans that all election pledges of PNU will be honored; “The devolution we promised Kenyans is in the CDF (Constituency Development Fund) which will now be increased by a whooping half a percentage.
Na Kazi inedelee.
Please wake up. You have been having a pleasant dream or a nightmare, depending on which side of the political divide you belong to and also depending on which tribe you belong. There are of course only two real tribes in Kenya and all others are fake tribes. The tribes are namely the “Haves” and the “Have Nothing.” The Haves will naturally celebrate for another 5 years.
Tomorrow: January 2008: Assuming That ODM Win The Elections
