AS KENYANS CAST THEIR BALLOTS ON 8TH AUGUST….

In a few days, Kenyans will turn up in droves at various polling centers to exercise the constitutional right to vote for their leaders of the next five years.

The political temperature is at its apex as each camp makes its final attempt to entice voters who are still undecided. This is a hotly competitive race so much so that each camp is leaving no stone unturned as manifested in the political machinery deployed at the grassroots level. It will be a second showdown between Uhuru Kenyatta (Jubilee) and Raila Odinga (Nasa) for the presidency. Uhuru is making a bid for a second term, whether he will bounce back, the question will be determined by the voters on the polling day.

The politics in Kenya is a subject which must be a concern for all Ugandans worthy of giving attention and keen interest. When Kenya sneezes, Uganda catches a cold. The ugly incidents of the post-election violence in 2007 gnaw on our memories. Every Ugandan therefore should pray for a peaceful election in Kenya, any thought of a repeat of the bloodshed and destruction which ensued after the elections in 2007 is dreadful. The reports of sporadic violence in some areas and the accusations from Raila Odinga that the incumbent and Kenya National Defence Forces (KNDF) have hatched a plan to rig the forth coming elections are serious concerns which shouldn’t be taken lightly. Any sign of violence should be nipped in the bud and the allegations from the opposition camp should be thoroughly investigated so that the process gains credibility.

Ethnicity is a determinant factor in the choice of presidents in Kenya. Tribal leanings influence who to be ticked on the ballot. Other African states are not an exception to this malaise, Uganda inclusive. But the question props up if this is the best way to form a decision as a voter. There are so many critical issues that are affecting Kenyans irrespective of where they come from or which tribe they belong to. As Kenyans go to the polls, these are some of the thorny problems which should be put into consideration.

The high cost of living in Kenya has reached tipping point. Its effects have been worsened by the skyrocketing prices of basic commodities like Unga (Maize), a staple food in Kenya and Sugar. The price of maize shot up to Ksh 180 ($1.8) for a two kilogram packet in June until the government intervened with subsidies to bring it down to Ksh 90 (9 US cents). Despite some actions by the government to cushion the high cost of living, the common man is yet to see any positive impact amidst the high tariffs and heavy taxation. An average Kenyan lives on less than $ 2 a day.

Kenya like any other growing African state is grappling with unemployment. Kenya’s unemployment rate stands at 40% with a jobless population of 12 million. Faced with a bulging youthful population and hoards of young graduates being churned out annually from institutions of higher learning, these have not been absorbed in the labor market. The government has created only 2.5 Million jobs since it assumed power in 2013, meaning only 500,000 jobs per year. The National Youth Service which was established under the current regime to solve the problem of unemployment has been dogged with corruption and thus failing to fulfill its aim. It is an uphill task which the next government must offer viable solution.

The cancer of corruption in the Kenyan government has spread to an incurable measure. It is estimated that Kenya loses Ksh 300 billion in various forms of corruption. The lack of political will to punish corrupt officials features as the reason why the disease has festered. Right from some of the major scandals that rocked the country from the Goldenberg in 1992, Anglo-leasing in 2002, depletion of the Strategic Grain Reserve in 2007, corruption has become part of the system. The other unresolved cases of corruption which have manifested are; embezzlement of funds in the National Youth Service and the health ministry. Stringent enforcement of laws and asset recovery programs should be high priority for the next government in fighting corruption.

Agriculture is a critical sector to curtail the high cost of living, solve unemployment and address the biting food security in the country. The next government will have to create means of boosting productivity of agricultural yields and markets for the produce. In developing this sector, the government should manage the challenges of climate change. The long dry spells and droughts are effects of pollution and environmental degradation. These should be given maximum attention.

Kenya is a terrorist target from the radical Islamic fundamentalist Al-shabab. Security at its borders and internally therefore stands out as an important issue which must be guaranteed by the next leaders. The country is just reeling from two major tragic attacks, that of Garissa University and the Westgate Mall. The government in power now has so much concentrated on ensuring security on the borders to prevent any terrorist infiltration and living the domestic security vulnerable.

The above is not an exhaustive list of what the Kenyan voter should look at while casting his or vote but it presents some of the national concerns beyond tribe which must guide the choice. Kenyans should put their country first and not individuals for national unity and cohesion.