The Screwball Called Muthaura
In reading the newspapers this month, it’s becoming quite obvious (and perhaps even scary) that this man Muthaura is increasingly taking on roles that the president should be performing. What’s happening to Kibaki’s brain? has it finally relented?
Usually, to succeed in government, you need to surround yourself with people who possess two unique skill sets. First, you need the people who are book smart to help you craft the public policies that will create the changes the country needs. Second, you need the people who are street smart to help you communicate those policies to the masses (in a language that they’ll understand). You cannot succeed without this two punch combination.
Bill Clinton was a very successful president because he possessed these two unique skill sets. He was book smart, but he was also street smart. Daniel arap Moi was not successful because he only possessed one of these skill sets: He was street smart, but not book smart (and he refused to surround himself with people who were book smart. That’s why many of his public policies were such failures & it is also the reason why the economy collapsed under his rule). Kibaki used to possess one of these skills sets: He was book smart, but has never been street smart and this is why he is having such a hard time governing. I believe Raila Odinga, possesses both these skills sets, but his impatience (brought on by his 10 years in prison) has dented his ability to use these skill sets to his advantage and now, it is almost too late for him. He will be 70 in 2012 and I think he’s just run out of time. I think Kalonzo Musyoka possesses neither of these skill sets and that is why, if he doesn’t surround himself with the right people, his presidency will be treacherous.
However, what seems to be happening lately, is that Kibaki is looking to be increasingly out of it and Muthaura, who is taking on more “work” on Kibaki’s behalf, just doesn’t have what it takes to run this government. How else would one explain the stupid moves he’s been consistently making lately?
If Muthaura knew what he was doing, these are things he would be advising Kibaki about, but he is either giving Kibaki terrible advice or he is making these decisions on his own, with terrible results.
So, somebody needs to get Muthaura outta there and replace him with some of Kibaki’s buddies who’ll give Kibaki this two punch combination. I think someone like Martha Karua possesses both these skills sets, but those old men are refusing to listen to her and they’re messing up.
George Bush has one of these skills sets; He is street smart, but not book smart and if you read any of the books written on the Bush presidency (which I pretty much have) – you will notice on theme that runs through all of them: Bush has a disdain for intellectualism and book smarts. He doesn’t read, he has short attention span and he dismisses “academic” experts. It is the reason his presidency has resulted in failure.
They need to get rid of Muthaura because he is trying to perform a job when he possessess neither of the innate gifts that are required to succeed at it.
I don’t know why this woman was transferred but what I did not like was her attitude.
It has now become common place for every mundane decision to be politicised. This is not only dangerous because it creates tension but it also scares away potential investors.
Just look at the Kimunya saga – James Orengo the minister who “blew the whistle” has been forced to admit that the sale was above board and Kimunya did not tell any lies. However, immense damage to the Kenyan economy and by extension Kenyan citizens has already been done. Orengo looked very stupid at the commmission. A minister (and a lawyer at that) relying on rumours.
Another example is the Mau saga – Rift Valley MPs know very well the damage caused by the settlements in the forest but they are willingly politicising the issue to undermine Raila Odinga. This is the same issue they used to whip up anger against Kibaki. Eventually, their stated goal is to have Williman Ruto as either the President or the PM.
Another example is the Port saga – the Coast MPs are claiming that the MD must be from Coast. This is simply ridiculous. The MD just has to be qualified – it doesn’t matter whether he is from Coast, Nyanza or wherever.
The Kriegler commission after collecting views from all over the country has concluded that the election was not systematically rigged. It was just chaotic. However, politicisation and incitement meant that violence was to follow – whatever the result.
In short, this politicisation of everyday decisions brings paralysis to effective management and delivery of services to wananchi. We need discipline for the sake of the country.
Mwatela should just have accepted the decision and then gone to court to challenge it. That is the way to do things.
As it turned out anyway, the Deputy Governor does NOT enjoy security of tenure. Only the Governor does. This is explicit in the relevant Act. She should not have listened to street lawyers and then ended up looking sheepish.
Kei O- strictly speaking that is BS on security of tenure. The deputy governor does enjoy security of tenure and what she doesn’t enjoy is the option of having to be taken via a Tribunal before she can be dismissed.
Too many Kenyans are consumed by the PNU/ODM political claptrap and only view things via those lenses.
Ultimately, we need a govt that not only pays lip service to integrity, but practices integrity.
With all due respect, that govt is not the Grand Coalition or the prior ones we’ve hand.
Mainat
To be honest I am not very sure about the security of tenure issue, I was just relying on the fact that Amos Wako (AG) said the Deputy Governor does not enjoy the same. He would presumably know how to interpret the relevant Act presumbaly being one of those who drafted it.
But my main point is to do with politicisation of all life in Kenya. This did not start with PNU and ODM, it is a trend that has taken root over the years. It has to go if Kenya is to develop as a nation.
I understand India is currently implementing a project to build highways linking all its major cities. This is a major project by any standard and it will improve transport and thereby increase opportunities. They are also involved in major financial sector and agriculture and IT sectors. But you do not hear them bickering or paralyisng the country through baseless arguments.
This is a culture that we should adopt in Kenya. A culture of action. A culture of implementation.
A no nonsense culture.
And there is no time to waste.
KEIO
I do agree with you for the first …I can not under satnd what Mainat is saying….
Politicisation of issues is the bane of Kenya…I think it started when MOI was in power….Every project he wanted or started jokes/murmurs catoons and general back stabbing culture of the lazy took place……
So now its entrenched…and its hard to get it OUt……