The air is thick with criticism. Swirling accusations about taxes, policies and court battles fill our ears. Yes, President William Ruto's honeymoon period is over, and the honeymooners-turned-opposition are eager to throw stones.
But before we let the cacophony drown out reason, let's take a deep breath and ask ourselves: are we being fair?
Is inheriting a nation on the brink of economic collapse a walk in the park? Is navigating a labyrinth of debt, inflation and stalled projects a cakewalk? No. Governing Kenya is, and always has been, a Herculean task.
Let's remember the state of affairs Ruto inherited: an economy gasping for air, suffocated by debt and slowed by inertia. He took the reins of a government gasping for air, its lungs choked by debt, its limbs sluggish from years of sluggish growth.
This isn't a simple case of inheriting a messy room; it's like taking over a sinking ship in a raging storm. To expect an immediate turnaround would be akin to demanding a diver to resurface with pearls within minutes of plunging into troubled waters.
Even if Azimio had won the election, the debt we need to pay would not have gone away; the unemployment we face would not have magically vanished and our hospitals and schools would still need money to run.
Yes, scrutiny is vital. A vibrant opposition keeps the government in check. But blind opposition, driven by bitterness and fuelled by political point-scoring, serves no one. We, the Kenyan people, are not spectators in this political drama.
We are all in this together, Kenya Kwanza and Azimio alike. A farmer in Eldoret and a mama mboga in Kiambu both feel the pinch of rising prices. A struggling economy doesn't discriminate based on political affiliation.
So, why do we, in the throes of collective hardship, indulge in the luxury of political bickering? Shouldn't our shared interest in a brighter future override narrow partisan agendas? It's time we embraced a dose of pragmatism. Let's give the government a chance to navigate this economic storm.
This doesn't mean we hand over a blank check. Holding the government accountable, demanding transparency, and offering constructive criticism are crucial. But let's do it with level heads, focusing on solutions, not just sensationalism. Let's judge Ruto on his actions, not the convenient narratives spun by his detractors.
And here's the hard-hitting truth: the alternative isn't pretty. No magic wand guarantees instant prosperity. Years of mismanagement and bad decisions cannot be undone overnight.
The road to recovery will be long and arduous, paved with painful reforms and difficult choices. But if we stand united, if we channel our energies into constructive engagement, then perhaps, just perhaps, we can weather this storm together.
Remember, a successful government benefits all Kenyans, regardless of their political stripes. Let's not allow short-sighted bickering to impede our collective progress. Let's give Ruto time to deliver, not because we blindly trust him, but because we trust ourselves, the Kenyan people, to stand tall, united and ready to rise above the noise.
This, my friends, is the true test of our patriotism.
Now, this is not a call for blind faith. Scrutiny is the lifeblood of democracy, and constructive criticism is a necessary nudge on the path to progress. But let's distinguish between healthy scepticism and knee-jerk negativity.
Every decision won't be a home run, every policy won't be a Midas touch. There will be stumbles, course corrections and adjustments along the way. That's the nature of governing, especially in such turbulent times.
Instead of amplifying every misstep into a national crisis, let's focus on the bigger picture.
Is Ruto genuinely working to tackle the root causes of our problems? Is he building a competent team, crafting workable solutions and demonstrating a commitment to transparency and accountability?
These are the yardsticks we should judge him by, not the daily headlines fuelled by political point-scoring.
Let us remember that our collective progress hinges on our ability to rise above the din, unite in our aspirations and give our leader, not a free pass, but a fair chance to deliver.
Let's choose patience over panic, unity over division, and progress over political gamesmanship. This is our moment, our test, and our chance to build a brighter future, together.
