Kenya is crying out for a Claudio Ranieri

Dr Ekuru Aukot announced on March 15, 2016 that that he will be seeking the Presidency in next year’s General Elections in a movement he has christened Thirdway Alliance Kenya. FILE PHOTO |

What you need to know:

  • When it comes to sporting achievements or responding to national tragedies, we witness huge patriotic outpouring that transcends ethnicity or religion.
  • This country would run smoothly if we abolish politics and transfer the current crop of politicians into the NYS.
  • Public opinion suggests that a new team is required at the IEBC and other electoral reforms are needed before August next year.
  • A JAP victory will again be dismissed as a government of two tribes, while a CORD victory will be viewed as success for the other three of the big five.

Spend 20 minutes on social media and you get some idea of how divided this country is. Any minor criticism or alternative view of Jubilee’s performance is immediately construed as originating from a Raila Odinga fanatic. Any question about the latter’s leadership qualities or tactics adopted to overhaul the IEBC gets you dismissed as a JAP apologist.

The country is hopelessly divided, politically. When it comes to sporting achievements or responding to national tragedies, we witness huge patriotic outpouring that transcends ethnicity or religion.

However, even then politicians attempt to hijack these successes or calamities for their own benefit and things often turn sour.

Frankly speaking, this country would run very smoothly if we could abolish politics and transfer the current crop of politicians into the NYS. The political class are the greatest obstacle towards the democratisation and prosperity of the nation.

Proof of this is the fact that the economy will again take a nose-dive as we head towards the general election. Remember, however intensely loyal we are to our candidates, it is bureaucrats who make most of the decisions regarding the nation’s welfare.

Yet for better or worse, we are constitutionally bound to hold elections every five years. Campaigns have already begun and before the ball is kicked, opposing parties have differed on who the referee and his officials will be.

Public opinion suggests that a new team is required at the IEBC and other electoral reforms are needed before August next year. However, a free, fair and professional ballot is no guarantee that the country will be anymore united in 16 months time.

GOVERNMENT OF TWO TRIBES

A JAP victory will again be dismissed as a government of two tribes, while a CORD victory will be viewed as success for the other three of the big five. It would appear then that regardless of the outcome, the country will be hopelessly divided all over again.

Maybe the way forward is to have a President whose ethnic origin of so little importance or poses such little threat that Kenyans of all ethnic groups can identify with him. Ekuru Aukot has already announced his intention to be a Presidential candidate.

Without dismissing his chances, imagine for a moment a Turkana in State House. If not a Turkana, what of a Samburu, Giriama, Pokot or Arab. Remember the selling point for the 2010 Constitution was that regardless of who was President, justice and service could be accessed by everyone.

If you think I am dreaming think about Leicester City winning the premiership. The bookies gave them 5,000-1 odds nine months ago yet they conquered England’s big five of Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and the two Manchester clubs.

With a shrewd manager and a team without big egos or mega stars, they functioned perfectly as a unit and walked away with the premiership. A cocktail of tactics, hard work, ability and self-confidence gave them the title.

Kenya is crying out for a Raineri who can overcome the tyranny of numbers and the financial clout of the local big five. That team may not have a huge fan base now, but if they field credible, able players of integrity, watch it expand like Leicester.

[email protected] @GabrielDolan1