Ordinary words over time have evolved to assume new meanings and use. The “hustler” largely associated with President William Ruto was for the last two years construed to mean ordinary citizens who toil every day to make a living for themselves.
As fate would have it, the hustler narrative resonated very well with the downtrodden and for that reason buoyed the ratings of President William Ruto throughout the last election catapulting him to the presidency.
In less than one year in the office, a sizeable number of Kenyans have been hanging on the hope that the Kenya Kwanza government will lessen their burden in the next financial year. Amid this hope, it appears that the future that lies ahead requires tightening of the belt for both government employees and the players in the private sector.
The big question that now lingers is, 'Has the hustler narrative lost steam?’ A mention of the hustlers in the last election evoked a passionate following among the Kenya Kwanza support base. Things might appear to have quickly changed as reality set in that the cost of living is still all-time high despite some progress being made.
Will the baby steps culminate into giant steps towards lowering the cost of living across the country? Time will give us the best answer to this question.
The advisers to the President should be candid enough and let the President and Deputy President understand that the ground is becoming slippery for government policies. The political class is somewhat uncomfortable marketing the government policy in their respective constituencies and wards for fear of facing resistance in their backyards.
Members of the county assemblies are equally agitated by what appears to be burdensome policies with new taxation and proposed housing levy contributions that will be mandatory once the National Assembly passes the Finance Bill, 2023.
It is apparent that as a nation, the previous government went on a borrowing spree to unimaginable levels. It is for that reason we are grappling with a huge public debt, but this debate only makes sense to the elites. Ordinary people in every corner of the country have hopes that Dr William Ruto will solve their woes.
Any move that is likely to arouse public anger should be avoided at all costs by taking time to explain to the public why the government has taken a particular position now instead of in the foreseeable future. Any serious and honest adviser to the office of the President will consider public opinion, as a key factor in rolling out all government policies that shape public services.
I have no doubt the opposition is keenly watching the moves being undertaken by the government of the day. Any faltering will give the Azimio-led team fodder to fuel public discourse that will frame the Kenya kwanza government as insensitive to the needs of ordinary mwananchi. This is despite riding on the common mwananchi’s back to get to power.
While it is not easy for any government to remain popular once it assumes power, low ratings can be detrimental. Public disapproval of government policies can set a wrong tone for the next phase of the tenure. It is a considered view that the government of the day should solely focus on reviving the economy before embarking on other programmes that are likely to strain the meagre earnings of government employees.
In a country where citizens have limited faith in the handling of public money, like in the case of NSSF, there is a need for assurance that their contributions in the name of housing levy will not go down the drain like other government investments. The explanation around claiming back your contribution after seven years remains scanty, knowing how cumbersome government procedures can always be.
Amidst the raging debate, it will pay dividends if the government will pause and cut down on the rhetoric. It is in the interest of the advisers of the President to honestly advise him not to bite more than his government can chew.
One of the quickest brands that have been cultivated by the Kenya Kwanza government is its ability to quickly make public promises without assessing the realities that might slow down the implementation of some of the government programmes and projects in the wake of a struggling economy. It is proper to put brakes on government promises if the same are not measured against reality.
Finally, the government still enjoys the benefit of the doubt considering that it has been less than 12 months in office. The only prayer is that the cost of food prices and fuel should be regulated in the interest of the common person.
As long as the cost of fuel remains high, it is not possible to reduce the cost of living when the cost of transport is quite high. This is the reason why all public policies, however well-intentioned they might be, should be subjected to adequate public participation as a matter of constitutional guarantee and winning public support.
Lawyer and public policy consultant. [email protected]
