The year is coming to a close and it’s a welcome relief for many people who are wishing that this could have been a better year. To begin with, political realignments took place, what with the breaking up of the jubilee Party in toto.
Deep fissures in the once-ebullient Jubilee juggernaut are evident in the expulsion of six senators on account of party indiscipline and the mooted expulsion of the deputy president as party leader in the aborted National Delegates Convention.
Things deteriorated so fast, what with the sacking of 90 staff at the ‘panga’-ni house without notice or compensation.
On the other hand, the Nasa coalition also folded up owing to the effects of the handshake.
The opposition couldn’t hide the falling out, with grievances including disagreements in the way parliamentary slots were shared amongst ODM, Wiper, Ford Kenya and ANC.
The other bone of contention was the sharing of monies from the Political Parties Fund. A formula to do so didn’t end up very well. Wiper received some 'final' dues they claimed weren’t equivalent to their contributions to the presidential vote.
The third issue that broke Nasa's back was the alleged interference in each other’s internal affairs. Ford Kenya accused ODM of meddling in its own internal party affairs by sponsoring a rival and violent takeover of the party.
This didn’t succeed.
There were also allegations by Jimi Wanjigi and Wycliffe Oparanya that they were paid as much as Sh1 million to run against Raila Odinga for president but that the party didn’t get back to them.
Kenyans witnessed Wanjigi’s rally being disrupted in Migori to the chagrin of party stalwarts hell-bent on creating a clean image devoid of the violence label.
However, this was further dented when the convoy of Deputy President William Ruto was attacked in Kondele by goons led by the area MCA.
Further, a drive by State House to have the former Nasa principals join the Azimio la Umoja came a cropper. Only Gideon Moi joined the bandwagon billed as a national convention on December 3 at Kasarani.
Most sent apologies because they had other commitments.
Moreover, the common State House consultations seem to also have collapsed after it was alleged ultimatums had been issued to the effect that all the other party leaders must support Raila.
Raila himself tried to "climb the mountain" and in his own words, he claimed that he had finally known the formula. It appears he has the backing of the moneyed elite, who see Ruto’s Hustler Nation narrative as a threat to their hegemony.
This has seen Raila lose the mwananchi defender’s tag to become the ‘billionaire’s’ candidate, thus losing many of his past strongholds. A recent opinion poll indicated he has lost in six out of the eight previous provinces to his rival, DP William Ruto
Apart from politics, Kenyans haven’t been having a good time, not even a tolerable time, what with the hiking of fees by various schools. The full introduction of the Competence-Based Curriculum has many parents complaining.
In addition, the cost of living went up, with the increase of essentials such as cooking gas and fuel prices going up to 30 per cent. Many families have found it difficult to put food on the table, bearing in mind that two thirds of household income in Kenya is spent on food alone!
Many will not be having a decent meal if any during this Christmas and New Year festivities. Many have lost their jobs due to the effects of Covid-19, leading to reduced household income.
This has led to domestic violence and marriage break-ups are on the increase. High school students have burnt dormitories, endangering the lives of their schoolmates. This violence is a clear indication of the failure of our social system.
The situation has been further compounded by the government borrowing spree that has led to serious cash-flow problems. For the first time in recent history, government employees' salaries have been delayed in a budget of Sh3.3 trillion.
The President tacitly acknowledged the country loses Sh2 billion daily to corrupt state officials and business cartels.
This depicts a country living way beyond its means.
On a more positive note, the will of the people prevailed in the Juja, Kiambaa, London, Rurii, Kiagu and other by-elections, defeating the machinations of the 'deep state' and its systems.
Also the diabolical imperial presidency that was being re-introduced under the BBI constitutional onslaught collapsed in toto after both the High Court and Court of Appeal declared the initiative was unconstitutional, null and void.
Now it's before the Supreme Court.
Many of the undemocratic decisions made by the Executive have been overturned by the courts, with a warrant of arrest issued against the DCI for defying court orders.
Further, yours truly was reinstated to the Senate after the High Court found the Jubilee Party erred in its decision that led to my expulsion.
We thus have every reason to be glad this year comes to a close after all the mishaps and injustices, and a few important victories.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2022.
(Edited by V. Graham)
