Mr President, here’s the real state of the nation - Kalonzo

Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has highlighted what he says are the real issues affecting Kenyans ahead of President William Ruto’s State of the Nation address before the bicameral Parliament on Thursday.

It’s a constitutional requirement for the President to address a special session of the National Assembly and Senate once a year.

He’s expected to report on a number of critical issues including measures taken to promote national unity, democracy, social justice, inclusivity, equality, human rights, good governance and integrity among other issues.

In a statement on Wednesday, Kalonzo said while these constitutional ideals are non-negotiable, the government has fallen short of fulfilling some, if not all of them.

"Even the most casual observer of the country's social, economic, and civic scenes will attest to the sorry state of affairs in all three areas,”Kalonzo said.

As a precursor to what he feels the President should address, Kalonzo listed critical areas of concern he says are afflicting Kenyans today.

Below are excerpts of his statement given in the capacity of what he terms People’s Loyal Opposition.

Human rights

Kenya has experienced some of the most severe human rights violations in its history under this administration.

Dissent and free expression have been criminalised. Youth have been abducted and disappeared indefinitely. This cannot continue.

Other free voices that have recently been under attack, such as the Church, should be allowed to conduct their work, which may occasionally entail criticising the current government.

Education

University education at public universities is in shambles. For weeks, there has been no learning.

The Kenya Kwanza government cannot even uphold the collective bargaining agreements it has struck with university unions.

This document is in the public domain. Why can't this regime meet its responsibilities to the dons?

Moi University and the University of Nairobi are both dealing with major challenges. Moi is embroiled in corruption scandals, while The University of Nairobi has been plagued by ongoing leadership crises.

Regarding CBC, the current pupil-teacher ratio of 60:1 is one of the highest in the world, substantially exceeding the recommended 40:1.

This sector is in disorder, compounded by a lack of classrooms and necessary instructional materials.

There is misunderstanding about where Grade 9 students should matriculate

Health

The healthcare system is a complete mess. Public hospitals are grinding to a halt; even private hospitals have been affected.

The SHA/SHIF project was fraught with questions that even senior Ministry of Health officials could not address.

A more listening government would have begun by piloting the new scheme in a few counties, before rolling it out.

Kenyans are collapsing and succumbing to death every day, because they are unable to get treatment in hospitals.

Regardless, SHA/SHIF has been forced down our throats.

Taxation, corruption and high cost of living

Kenyans are suffering under the weight of the world's highest taxes without service.

It would seem that the main reason Kenyans are so heavily taxed is the need to fund a few people’s luxurious and ostentatious lifestyles.

Government members continue to flaunt their questionable wealth even after the recent Gen-Z protests.

This must stop. The People’s Loyal Opposition strongly believes that it is immoral to tax Kenyans to the extent that this government is doing, without showing anything useful for the proceeds of this taxation.

We are keenly monitoring the situation, particularly the dubious contracts.

We are aware of Adani's deals at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and other airports, as well as their involvement in the SHA confusion and energy sector.

Sharing and devolution of power

Devolution is experiencing serious threats. The stalemate between the Senate and the National Assembly over the allocation of money between the National and Devolved Governments is extremely unfortunate.

It is difficult to comprehend why there is a deadlock in a problem whose answer is plainly enshrined in the Constitution. The objective is, without a doubt, to kill devolution.

The National Treasury continues to disseminate misleading information concerning "funds that have already been released to the counties" while knowing that none have been disbursed.

Democracy, good governance, transparency, and accountability

The country has reached an all-time low in this area. Parliament has lost its spirit of representing the people.

The National Assembly and the Senate, both answer to the whims of the Executive.

A few proven legislators willing to go against the Executive's plans face reprisal, such as exclusion from parliamentary committees and leadership positions.

This is not the democracy that Kenyans fought for. If the people’s representatives are caged, there will be no transparency or accountability.

Reconstitute the IEBC

The formation of an Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC) that has the trust of the people of Kenya is the most important component in preserving our democracy.

We demand that all injunctions and appeals against the IEBC Selection Panel be discontinued and that it be reconstituted promptly. Our country cannot afford to proceed without the IEBC. 

This delaying tactic in order to prevent Kenyans from having a valid IEBC that will conduct by-elections for vacant national and county seats, as well as assist disenfranchised Kenyans in recalling their representatives.

In conclusion, the country is in a bad situation, from agriculture to transportation to health to education to energy, poorly thought-out policies 

This is the real state of the nation.