Professor Kivutha Kibwana as a beacon of hope or not?

The 2022 election race began as soon as the 2017 election ended lines were drawn as some are yet to lay their stake and a whole conversation as to who will be the president is still yet to be known. As the whole Jubilee side is in chaos and the deputy president accusing the president of betrayal since he was supposed to “leave the country to him” as the successor. (Are we a democracy? Or what) They coined the term hustlers vs dynasties. It’s really creative, just think about it he has created a narrative as a hustler. A hustler according to Merriam-Webster is one who obtains money by fraud or deceit. Do I need to say more?

Last week Makueni governor who luckily did not get impeached with all these impeachment hearings, announced his presidential ambitions. One of the reasons he decided to join the race is because people have requested and encouraged him to run for the seat. That’s indeed interesting. His announcement sparked an interesting discussion on several social media platforms where some were encouraging him and some in despair did not think he would be president. One tweet that caught my attention was “Kivutha is not corrupt enough to be president” It was for comical effect yes! but it shows the underlying issues that are there even as Kenyans we recognize the problems but we feel powerless. Or maybe we agree with King Kaka’s statement that even in 2022 we already know who the president is?

Professor Kibwana’s interview by Jeff Koinange was unique in the sense that one he did not talk foul about his other counterparts even when asked controversial questions like Waiguru’s Impeachment he did not take any side and answered strategically. Jeff tries to put him on the spot by asking about ukambani and how since the governor of Machakos is also running in the next election means that Ukambani voters are split into two by now if it was some of the politicians they would have bashed the opponent by either insults or low remarks but he took the high road where his aim was to strive to unify the country and fight against tribalism. Negative tribalism has been used to divide and even cause chaos over the years and people saw it first hand during the infamous 2007/2008 elections.

Most Kenyans are skeptical about any change that’s why most people don’t vote because they don’t see the point in lining up. So how do we look for hope when most people are full of despair? Or are we in despair because of our own fault? I like Kivutha’s point of view “Kwa ground vitu zinachange.” I sincerely hope that’s the truth because that’s the only way we can bring change.