• Many Kenyans are exhausted by the scandals of the current regime
Image: PCS
Another week, another controversy by the current government. I’m not a political commentator, nor would I like to be. However, as a somewhat social commentator, I cannot help but talk about political issues as it is one of the top three issues that affect society.
I do wish that the current government would focus on its objectives and achieve its agendas for the betterment of all Kenyans, rather than being in the news every other week because of one scandal or another. On a side note; I wonder if recent political figures and their governments thrive from giving the people shock value than actually doing their jobs. Or perhaps they have just gotten to the point where they don’t care anymore for, as long as they are in office, they can get away with pretty much anything.
Back to this week’s topic at hand. The whole country was up in arms over the number of people in the delegation sent to Dubai for the 28th edition of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 28). According to the news, the Kenyan representatives consisted of more than 750 personnel! In all honesty, I didn’t even think we had 700 climate change specialists in Kenya! Surely, was Nguatah Francis part of the team?
Why would we need 700 people to attend a climate conference? Are they all writing a line for the President’s speech? Are they presenting our cutting-edge discovery in curbing CO2 emissions? Because last I checked, climate change was not in the top 10 agendas or issues affecting our country. How does a country with a meagre economy, which is possibly hundreds of years in debt, afford to foot this bill?
The conference is dated to last from November 30 to December 12. That's over two weeks of lodging, per diems and other travel expenses much of which will be catered for by the taxpayer (other delegates are privately sponsored). We must remember that among the government delegates are those who fly private, first class, business and economy. We, the people, will be paying for each and every one of those tickets.
I think I speak on behalf of many Kenyans when I say we are exhausted by the scandals of the current regime. It’s hardly been a year since the current government came to power, yet every day we wake up to some stimulating, agitating scandal that is more controversial than the last.
Meanwhile, while the climate specialists are representing the country in the world’s most-visited city, El Niño is still ravaging parts of Kenya. Many parts of the country are still affected by the heavy rains and flash floods. The River Tana burst its banks, displacing thousands and killing more than a hundred people.
According to reports, the President has made more than 40 foreign trips since joining office, with the number rising to more than 50 when you add Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's trips. That is more visits than there are weeks in a year (52)! This would mean that the presidency is averaging three to six trips a week! One can’t help but wonder, “Who is commandeering the ship?” It’s no wonder that CSs and public servants are running amok in the media. While the boss is away, the civil servants will play.
At this rate, we are holding our breath as we head steadfast into the iceberg that sank the Titanic. It would take a miracle to veer us off this track of disaster that is waiting to hit our country and take us all down with it. I often wonder if the public servants, the delegates of Dubai and members of the Cabinet realise that if Kenya sinks, we all go down with it.