STILL RUNNING ON PROMISES: THREE YEARS OF JUBILEE:
By Moses Wetangula
Dear Kenyans.
It is three years since the Jubilee regime took over power under contested circumstances. Today, a week after President painted a glowing picture of the state of our nation, we ask you to spare a few minutes with us, as we give our side of the story on what Jubilee’s adventure has meant for our nation three years later. I will speak to you on two critical areas; national security and territorial integrity of Kenya.
NATIONAL SECURITY:
The State of the Nation address coincided with the first anniversary of the terrorist attack on Garissa University College, killing over 100 of our young people. It also came just months after a brazen attack on another group of young Kenyans, the KDF soldiers fighting Al Shabaab in Somalia.
In this area, like in many others, the President was reporting processes and not results to Kenyans. We may have bought military and police vehicles. We may have recruited more police officers and increased their pay and improved working conditions. Those are processes. Are Kenyans safer today than they were in 2013? The answer is no.
A year after Garissa attack, Kenyans have not been told exactly what happened. We do not know how so many of our soldiers got killed in El Ade and how many. We do not know what steps have been taken to ensure no more attacks happen. There is massive failure by the State to secure the land and the citizens.
Despite the Administration’s rhetoric, our borders remain porous. Our response to each terror attack has only succeeded in alienating Muslims and members of the Somali community. Where we should extend the hand of friendship, we have extended clenched fist instead.
TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY:
One of the most important pledges a president makes is to protect the territorial integrity of his country and raise the clout of his nation among the community of nations. After all, each nation acts in the best interest of its citizens.
There is spectacular failure by the government to protect the territorial integrity of the republic: The Jubilee regime has continued to allow President Museveni to illegally occupy Migingo Island. Recently, the Ugandan Police arrested Kenyan officials including an assistant chief and prevented IEBC officials from registering voters in Migingo Island.
The Jubilee regime has shepherd an international and regional policy that has continued to undermine Kenya’s standing in the world. The Jubilee approach on international affairs is guided by more the personal interests of individuals rather than the interest of our beloved nation. Recently, the Kenyan delegation, led by a Kenyan Cabinet member, was detained and denied access to the Tanga port. This embarrassing situation was caused by noncompliance with simple diplomatic etiquette that requires informing the foreign counterpart of your intended visit.
Hubris and decrees can only take us so far. Jubilee has to change course or we all lose track and sink with the obviously sinking regime.
