Brian Oguna Mamba writes on “Manifesto for the Status Quo”

Simply put, a manifesto is any document that outlines the specific plans formulated by an individual or a group of people in their quest to form government. It entails a public declaration of policies and a raison d’etre bearing time frames and work plans for achieving the set objectives.

The ideologies, always expressed in a manner meant to appeal to the electorates, usually assume a suggestive tone targeted towards informing public opinion. Even so, whereas it is one thing to put a glittery manifesto in place, it is another to wholly implement one.

In a democracy like Kenya for instance, citizens cast their votes upon weighing the alternative manifestos on a scale. On the subject of interrogating the agendas and dreams expressed therein. The winning stratagem or blue print of development thence, often evinces dexterity and adroitness which is a preserve for visionaries.

It goes without saying, a good manifesto besides elucidating plans for the people, primarily manages to win their approval and affection. Consequently, a win for a faction in the race to form government is unanimously regarded as a win for the nation.  The elected government for a period of five year constituting the first term, subsequently begins to contextualize their action points. Through projected changes achievable by legislation, provision of oversight, representation and public participation on matters of public interest.

Domestically, a decade is in the verge of elapse since the Jubilee Party took over the mantle of leadership. Thus, Kenyans should use their delivery score card as a factor to predetermine their future decisions.

Prior to assuming power, the Jubilee party expressed commitment through their manifesto to among other things:

1.  Create 1.3 million jobs every year and work with county governments to establish at least one industry in every county.

2. To establish a government sponsored apprenticeship program of up to 12 months for all university and TVET graduates.

2. To double the number of vulnerable citizens supported through the cash transfer programme (Inua Jamii) from 700,000 to 1,400,000.

3. To have citizens above the age of 70 obtaining health insurance cover through the NHIF.

4. Expanding the free primary school programme to include free day public secondary schools in Kenya.

5. To facilitate mass housing production of at least 500,000 affordable homes in 5 years across the country by working in partnership with financial institutions, private developers, manufacturers of building materials and cooperatives to deliver homes faster and reduce the cost of construction by at least 50%.

6. To expand free maternity care to include government funded NHIF cover for every expectant mother for one year.

7. To ensure every citizen is connected to reliable and affordable electricity (on or off-grid) by 2020.

8. To expand food and agricultural production, double the fertilizer subsidy initiative, reducing the cost to farmers to less than Ksh1, 500.

9. To make government more transparent and accountable through the digitization of all government procurement; expand and deliver e-government services through the growing network of Huduma Centres.

Considering a decade has passed, Kenyans must interrogate the achievements obtained against the promises made and desist from embracing a democracy that is dangerous. A dangerous democracy is one which normalizes corruption, promotes tribalism, nepotism, subverts the will of the people and fights the justice system.

Justice by virtue, is objective and cannot be sentimentally obtained. Finally, the massive party of Kenyans must rise above the status quo and relentlessly reject the agents of stagnation. To invoke Mao Tse, “injuring a man’s ten fingers is not as effective as chopping off one.” Kenyans must indeed not be cowered to dispel off dead weight packaged in the form of leadership they reincarnate.

At the end of the decade so it shall appear, that the strategy instituted to benefit wanjiku, shall instead grant the status quo the last laugh.

To pen off, this piece ideally is not aimed at pointing guns towards any elected or nominated representative but rather directs the nozzle to wanjiku. Notwithstanding, the glory our government has achieved since independence has been realized amid fights. This article thus aims to exonerate any leader whose work, standard or not, was enabled by wanjiku.

The writer refers to himself as a Knowledge Gangster. Email : brocomente@gmail.com