{UAH} Pojim/WBK: what sayeth you???? It’s a mixed bag of hits and misses as Jubilee starts its third year in power - Opinion - nation.co.ke

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It's a mixed bag of hits and misses as Jubilee starts its third year in power - Opinion

By MACHARIA GAITHO
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For the report card of his two years in power, I would give President Uhuru Kenyatta a clean 'A' on style. But on substance — looking at his handling of the economy, development, security, corruption, governance, reconciliation, and myriad other dockets — it would be a rather mixed bag.

As seen so clearly when he welcomed his wife, Margaret, at the finish line of the First Lady's Marathon on Sunday, Mr Kenyatta and his deputy, William Ruto, have brought a captivating and refreshing style to the presidency. The show of unrestrained public affection would have been unimaginable in the days of his dour, stolid, stiff-necked, predecessors.

Beyond the hugs and embraces of the first couple, also on show was the always easy-going camaraderie between President Kenyatta and Mr Ruto. The back-slapping, hi-fives, jokes, laughter, and spontaneous breaking out into song and dance — reggae, not "patriotic" songs — have become typical of a duo that promised to bring youthful energy and vigour to State House and clearly kept their end of the bargain.

Mr Kenyatta came to the presidency with the reputation of a fun-loving young man, a party animal who could hold his drink and was always on the lookout for a bit of adventure.

The burdens of office, the public glare, and security considerations might have restrained him somewhat, but once he gets his groove, it is clear that the stern-faced men in suits and be-medalled uniforms have not completely neutered him.

The fun-loving side of the President simply cannot be completely tamed, and that can only be good for anyone who needs to ease the pressure of high office. That is a side of the President that is refreshing and appealing.

He has humanised the presidency and stopped it from being a redoubt of elderly, stern-faced men suited up in dull grey suits whatever the occasion or weather.

No one, whatever his political persuasion, can honestly deny that the UhuRuto duo has brought a new dynamic that has completely changed the aura and mystique around the presidency. However, a legacy will not be established by style without substance. Beyond the selfies, showbiz, and the smoke and mirrors must come some solid achievement if the Jubilee team will not end up as an extended PR stunt.

The Uhuru-Ruto ticket was elected facing daunting challenges. It was also elected in the back of a long list of ambitious campaign promises. The two were facing International Criminal Court charges for crimes against humanity, indictments they adroitly exploited to rally their supporters by projecting themselves as victims rather than villains.

Western powers were threatening sanctions, the economy was heading south or in a wait-and-see mode, ethnic tensions still prevailed and the country was split down the middle in the wake of the disputed presidential election, and Al Shabaab still threatened to unleash terrorist mayhem.

The Jubilee duo, meanwhile, had promised more than they could deliver. The stalled primary school laptops projects to date stands as a monument to grandiose campaign promises.

A quick glance at the Jubilee campaign manifesto reveals many other projects that seem to have been quietly shelved, ranging from international-standard sports stadia all over the place to free milk for schoolchildren, massive job creation, major reduction of the pupil/teacher ratio in public schools, and the opening up of marginalised areas with significant investment in roads, communications, and utilities.

The focus seems to have been on showpiece, legacy projects such as the Lamu port-railway-pipeline and the new Mombasa Nairobi railway, all of which have been mired in controversy and corruption. The government has resorted to glitzy project launches but often with little on the ground to show for real work.

The hoopla aside, however, there has been solid work going on. Everything points to steady growth, a new confidence in Kenya, and ratings that cement the country's place as a communciations, commerce, and political hub on the continent. All could be spoilt by the return of mega corruption under Jubilee and the new industry of contract killings.

Tony Gacoka. Miguna Miguna. Ngunjiri Wambugu. Ababu Namwamba. Raila Odinga must be a very poor judge of character.

mgaitho@ke.nationmedia.com

It's a mixed bag of hits and misses as Jubilee starts its third year in power - Opinion - nation.co.ke

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