You know something is wrong when the basic food items like Maize flour, Rice, Milk and Sugar are going up in Kenya. This has happen during the term of President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President Willam Ruto, the Jubilee Coalition. That the President takes so easily on it during the campaigns, proves that he has forgotten the common plight. This isn’t just a drought that brought the higher prices, there is systemic defaults that the government has to be concerned about. Therefore, the President coming out and saying this!
“In his speech the President also criticised the opposition, which he described as a coalition crafted to get job for its four leading figures. He described the leader of the opposition as “a man who does not know how to solve problems but only knows how to talk about problems”. The Head of State said the Government is working on an appropriate plan to deal with the rising cost of maize flour. He revealed that Parliament will be recalled soon to come up with legislations to deal with the issue of food prices. “We have been quiet about this issue but we have been working on a plan and soon Parliament will resume soon and it will come up with a lasting solution,” said the President” (The Presidency, 2017).
That he says the Opposition only talks about it, it is him who has the power and have the majority government. President Kenyatta has had all the possible time to create and make sure the citizens and businesses could thrive. Instead their been years of problems for Mumias, corruption scandals and in general not the sort economic policies that the Kenyan people or businesses needs. Therefore, the news of 10 coastal hotels closed in the recent months. The higher prices on electricity and other basic food items. Proves that the government has not facilitated it for citizens.
This can be proven with the added debt and deficit that the Kenyan government has risen. That the loans have been misspent as well as corruption scandals, which has proven that it isn’t only the Port of Mombasa where it is, but the central government has certainly their mismanagement. There been chickens inside the IEBC, NYS Scandal, JKIA, and so many others.
“Inflation in the month of Aril has been reported to have increased to a record high of 11.48 percent. This was as a result of the ongoing drought that has hit most parts of the country and therefore forcing commodities to increase in prices so as to reach the markets set target” (Shawiza, 2017).
Just as Barclays has spelled gloom over the Kenyan economy, because the President cannot like going into a tight and highly anticipated campaign when the state struggles with this:
“In various supermarkets around major towns, shoppers are being met by empty shelves. Those who spoke to Nation lamented that the increased prices had hit them hard, forcing them to forego some meals in the day, especially to save for school fees. In a country where maize remains a staple food, the price increase has left many households suffering. Even with the government intervention, the prices of a 90kg bag of dry maize is still high at Sh5,200 in Kisumu, Sh4,700 in Mombasa and Sh4,500 in Nairobi” (Daily Nation, 2017).
There we’re reasons for this, since the rise of prices doesn’t come in vacuum, the President and his government knows that, but has stayed ignorant, because they seem to confident that they will be in-charge after the coming election. Therefore, he should trade the waters more careful, unless the Jubilee is rigging it. However, the prices are hurting the citizens and the people who are supposed to support the party.
They have already struggled with months of uncertainty with the IEBC and the Doctors strike as they both have proven the systemic problems inside the republic. This is something that the Jubilee government has festered and not cleared the shop. Instead of building trust, they have tried to stop it like they detained doctors, they tried to silence the demonstrations against the corrupt IEBC board.
So with the rising state debt, the rising prices on food stuffs and the mismanagement of government funds. That the Jubilee attacks the NASA for their deals is the only good thing they have, but it is not sustainable as their own are awarded. So I cannot believe in that, that the NASA only favors and give jobs to their own. There are similarities there, but the Jubilee shouldn’t complain about giving favors, when they have built their own system doing so. Also, giving credits and envelopes to smaller parties for their support!
President Kenyatta should not for populism, but for the concern of the issues of the higher prices on the basic foods. Since this affects all citizens and their pockets, as well as stores and shops are getting empty on the shelf’s, not only Nakumatt who has struggled for months, but also others. Therefore, the are grand issues in the economy, if it wasn’t so than the banks like Kenya Chase Bank Limited taken control by the Central Bank of Kenya. If all of this issues are not handled, together this all proves there are governance structures and policies who needs changes. Since the state are clearly forgetting their sole purpose to facilitate life for their citizens, not secure wealth for the elite. Therefore, the Jubilee, has to prove they really care, as the inflation and debt ratio is rising to levels that the President should anticipate. Not try to control after it hit the fan! Peace.
Reference:
Nation Team – ‘Kenyans tighten their belts as prices of goods soar and shortages bite’ (03.05.2017) link: http://www.nation.co.ke/news/Families-hit-by-soaring-food-prices/1056-3911702-pigm45z/index.html
Shawiza, Vera – ‘Cost Of Living: High Food Prices Reason For Increased Inflation’ (03.05.2017) link: http://sokodirectory.com/2017/05/cost-living-high-food-prices-reason-increased-inflation/
The Presidency – ‘I will work tirelessly for Kenya’s prosperity, President Kenyatta pledges’ (06.05.2017) link: http://www.president.go.ke/2017/05/06/i-will-work-tirelessly-for-kenyas-prosperity-president-kenyatta-pledges/
Like this:
Like Loading...
