THE DYNAMICS OF KENYAN POLITICS AND WHY UHURU KENYATTA’S LOSS IS INEVITABLE.
The year is 1982 and in the early hours of August 1st, President Daniel Arap Moi faces his greatest challenge yet; the attempted take over of his government through a coup organized by a group of Kenyan citizens unhappy with his leadership. This attempted coup forced President Moi to enact strict barriers that would see power centralized to a chosen few. He perfected these barriers through structures like corruption and tribalism, dividing citizens and limiting access to empowerment by taking from tax payers as a way to cement his dominance. However, change was in the air as in the year 2002, exactly 20 years after the coup attempt, Moi’s influence and dominance was tested once again and this time, he suffered a shameful loss that saw his political student, Uhuru Kenyatta, lose to Mwai Kibaki. This was the beginning of Kenya’s political revolution.
Fast forward to 2013 and Daniel Arap Moi’s political student with the help of IEBC rises again but this time, this power is different. Uhuru Kenyatta may have been sworn in as Kenya’s President but the Moi structures that he brought with him are no longer effective.
Facing a younger, educated and digitally exposed generation of voters, Uhuru Kenyatta has faced a challenging journey in governance even from those who voted for him. This time, Kenyans expected results and were not afraid to challenge power if need be. The concept of power has changed. It is no longer about those at the top but it is about serving the interests of the people. The Moi ideologies that oppressed those who questioned authority and limited power to the chosen few have drastically fallen with devolution and social media opening doors to more players giving way to diverse range of opinions.
Uhuru Kenyatta is competing against an information age with unlimited data that has opened the minds of the average Kenyan voter. Bloggers such as Cyprian Nyakundi can now challenge power and share information to millions of followers in real time without restriction. This in itself is diversified power which is changing Kenya. The impact is so profound such that a complete internet shut down will do little to affect the revolution. With Kenyans stationed on all corners of the world, families can call each other and share ideas on the impact of good or bad governance. In this age, the only way to sustain power and dominance in Kenya is through performance and integrity.
It is unfortunate that Uhuru Kenyatta did not have the wisdom to comprehend the challenges that come with power in the 21st century. His reliance on tribalism and hard power as a ticket to maintaining his authority was a narrow minded view which will most likely cost him in 2017. Kenyans have seen the light and understand the effects of bad governance and have decided to arm themselves against the destructive culprit known as corruption which is Uhuru Kenyatta’s and William Ruto’s Achilles heel.
Corruption, hurting the health and wealth of Kenyans is the enemy that Kenyans will vote against in 2017 and any leader who has this shadow hanging over their head will most likely fall. Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy, William Ruto are no exception.
Kenyans are hungry for change. Kenyans want a leader who will fight against corruption, prosecute corrupt perpetrators all while empowering lives. These are the structures Kenyans want implemented and since Uhuru Kenyatta is unwilling to let go of the Moi ideologies and structures that only benefit the chosen few, any leader who will accept the challenge of implementing these new structures will easily unseat President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2017.
