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Uhuru should entrust his legacy with like-minded leader

Friday, November 27th, 2020 00:00 | By

Linford Mutembei 

Like in many past general elections in Kenya, the 2022 contest, by all indications, promises to be very competitive.

Signs are Kenyans will be spoiled for choice between candidates who join politics for politics’ sake, those with a vision and economic and developmental track records, and newbies.

This behooves relevant authorities to thoroughly vet candidates before presenting them to the electorate to choose leaders for various seats.

The least Kenyans will expect from the authorities is a ballot with aspirants who have tainted pasts.

It’s time the constitutional requisites on integrity and ethics are applied to the letter in sieving various candidates for various positions.

In doing so, the authorities  should bear in mind a nation’s future rests squarely in the hands, vision and integrity of its leaders.

Therefore, post-2022, Kenya deserves selfless and dedicated leadership of selfless and sacrificial individuals. 

Recently, Jubilee Party vice chairman David Murathe and trade unionist Francis Atwoli made some remarks that were received with hostility.

The duo indicated that opposition leader Raila Odinga is one such selfless leader who deserves to be the fifth president of this country after Uhuru Kenyatta retires in 2022. 

I agree with them. Here’s why. 

After what I consider political persecution during previous regimes, Raila never gave up on the fight against authoritarian rule of 1980s and 1990s, the push for better laws and the democratic space for Kenyans.

Even after joining the government of Mwai Kibaki after a bitter contest, there’s still something he can show for his stint.

In 2008, after the post-election violence that saw thousands of lives lost and families displaced because of a disputed presidential election results, he again, agreed to shake hands with his arch-rival Kibaki to save the nation. 

And despite having ambitions for 2013 elections, Raila did not antagonise Kibaki.

He instead supported him in building a legacy, including the mid-wifing new Constitution and Thika Road project.

Now as a believer of the Building Bridges Initiative that will create positions of Prime Minister and two deputies to ensure inclusivity, Raila should team up with like-minded people from other regions to continue Uhuru’s legacy.

Such are not in short supply. I find former presidential candidate and one-time Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth fitting the bill based on his track record when he served as MP.

The two can rewrite the history of a country that has for a long time grappled with ethic antagonism and unhealthy rhetoric politics.

As Uhuru bows out of the top seat, he leaves behind unfinished business in uniting the nation and the Big Four agenda, which he must entrust with a leader he shares vision with — Raila. — The writer is the Mount Kenya Youth Caucus, a youth lobby group

Linford Mutembei 

Like in many past general elections in Kenya, the 2022 contest, by all indications, promises to be very competitive.

Signs are Kenyans will be spoiled for choice between candidates who join politics for politics’ sake, those with a vision and economic and developmental track records, and newbies.

This behooves relevant authorities to thoroughly vet candidates before presenting them to the electorate to choose leaders for various seats.

The least Kenyans will expect from the authorities is a ballot with aspirants who have tainted pasts.

It’s time the constitutional requisites on integrity and ethics are applied to the letter in sieving various candidates for various positions.

In doing so, the authorities  should bear in mind a nation’s future rests squarely in the hands, vision and integrity of its leaders.

Therefore, post-2022, Kenya deserves selfless and dedicated leadership of selfless and sacrificial individuals. 

Recently, Jubilee Party vice chairman David Murathe and trade unionist Francis Atwoli made some remarks that were received with hostility.

The duo indicated that opposition leader Raila Odinga is one such selfless leader who deserves to be the fifth president of this country after Uhuru Kenyatta retires in 2022. 

I agree with them. Here’s why. 

After what I consider political persecution during previous regimes, Raila never gave up on the fight against authoritarian rule of 1980s and 1990s, the push for better laws and the democratic space for Kenyans.

Even after joining the government of Mwai Kibaki after a bitter contest, there’s still something he can show for his stint.

In 2008, after the post-election violence that saw thousands of lives lost and families displaced because of a disputed presidential election results, he again, agreed to shake hands with his arch-rival Kibaki to save the nation. 

And despite having ambitions for 2013 elections, Raila did not antagonise Kibaki.

He instead supported him in building a legacy, including the mid-wifing new Constitution and Thika Road project.

Now as a believer of the Building Bridges Initiative that will create positions of Prime Minister and two deputies to ensure inclusivity, Raila should team up with like-minded people from other regions to continue Uhuru’s legacy.

Such are not in short supply. I find former presidential candidate and one-time Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth fitting the bill based on his track record when he served as MP.

The two can rewrite the history of a country that has for a long time grappled with ethic antagonism and unhealthy rhetoric politics.

As Uhuru bows out of the top seat, he leaves behind unfinished business in uniting the nation and the Big Four agenda, which he must entrust with a leader he shares vision with — Raila. — The writer is the Mount Kenya Youth Caucus, a youth lobby group

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