Delay in filling positions may make government to fall apart

Kenya is drifting along in an increasingly rudderless state.

Sometimes it seems as if President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto agree with the Opposition in doubting their own legitimacy.

They are either unable or unwilling to govern, leaving the kind of vacuum that Nature abhors.

The inability to constitute a complete government not only leaves some 13 Cabinet Secretaries and an even larger number of Principal Secretaries in a state of anxiety about their fate but, worse, condemns the affected government ministries and departments to lack of leadership.

PRIVATE

Any institution bereft of guidance — be it government or a private corporation — will drift aimlessly like a ship without a rudder. Managers unsure of their positions will not apply any enthusiasm to their jobs, and, this being Kenya, will be tempted to try and feather their nests in case they are shown the door.

The concern here is not about the fates and fortunes of individual CSs and PSs who don’t know if they will be in employment tomorrow but the health of government that, for lack leadership, will begin to atrophy.

Lack of management will lead to inefficiency and sloth, which could force vital government services to a halt. It will also open the floodgates to theft, pilferage and waste and, eventually, unchecked and unrestricted looting of the public kitty.

The state of limbo and paralysis already being experienced seems tailor-made for the return of grand corruption to an extent that may make the Goldenberg and Anglo Leasing scandals seem like they were mere dress rehearsals.

We are already witnessing the debilitating effects of the leadership vacuum right from State House down to nearly all government ministries and their various departments, directorates, corporations and statutory bodies.

PUBLIC PARK

The same inertia is seen across the semi-autonomous county governments that tend to mirror what is happening at the centre. Many government functions, including those under independent regulatory and oversight bodies, seem to be inexorably grinding to a halt or becoming captive to the corruption networks they are meant to keep in check.

The very visible return of Kanu-style land grabbing — with no public park, forest, game reserve or children’s playground safe — is a very clear indication of the lack of government or complicity by it.
Prof Wangari Maathai would turn in her grave if she witnessed the return of uncontrolled ‘development’ in forests, wetlands and riparian reserves. All the environmental protection work that earned her the Nobel Peace Prize has gone to waste.

The return of marauding gangs in the centre of the capital city, following on the inept and clueless county government awarding unregulated street traders the freedom of the city, is yet another pointer.

Murderous thugs roaming freely in Nairobi’s central business district as well as other towns such as Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret, Nakuru and Nyeri is a phenomenon that reminds us of the state of insecurity.

It is no less dangerous that rampant crime in rural areas, unchecked banditry, cattle rustling and ethnic conflicts in the neglected northern regions, or wilful surrender of vast swathes of Coast and eastern regions to terrorists.

There can be no excuse for such gross dereliction of duty.

OPPOSITION

If President Kenyatta and Mr Ruto truly believe that they won the elections fair and square and are legitimately in office, they must cease pussyfooting and petty politics and get on with the business of governing.

It is hypocritical for them to constantly chest-thump and proclaim that they won the people’s mandate while exhorting the aggrieved Opposition and everyone else to cease endless politicking and focus on development.

The only explanation for this paralysis is that the Jubilee regime is in mortal terror of what the Opposition has up its sleeve.

D-Day is set for the end of this month when losing National Super Alliance presidential candidate Raila Odinga and running mate Kalonzo Musyoka have themselves take a rebel ‘oath of office’ on contestable claims that they were the real winners of the nullified August 8 presidential election.

One declaring himself the victor and awarding himself the prize should not scare a declared winner who is sure, firm and confident in his own legitimacy.

The Opposition is so divided and disorganised, in any case, that it really should pose no threat to a government that is sure of itself.

[email protected] Twitter: @MachariaGaitho