Azimio la Umoja presidential candidate Raila Odinga and his running mate Martha Karua
By: Robert Mungai
Worth Noting:
- The deep link between politics and monetary governance is the reason we have volatile economy. Many investors are afraid to invest wholeheartedly due to the political instability which repeats after every three years, that is two years before the national elections. Establishing independent economy would be the most suitable way to assure we have a stable and progressive economy.
- Why should we suffer in the hands of the politicians who are not answerable to anyone, why should our economy be compromised by politicians who thrives on graft, why should the citizens be denied economic privileges through affordable health, homes, water, food and security due to political arm-twisting?
What is the problem with Kenya? is it the citizens, constitutions or its politicians? Looking at the political environment, we need to address the issues of economic leadership and political leadership. These two roles overlaps each other thinly, we have so many politicians and few economic leaders.
To establish accountability and transparency, to establish continuation of economic growth and protection of our well-being as a country, we need to separate the roles. Politicians should be barred from directly controlling the path of any aspects of development or economic growth.
For many years, Kenyans have been conditioned to believe politicians are the source of development, billions of shillings have been pumped into the hands of our political class, 59 years later, we are still beggars in terms of food security, health, internal security, education, economic growth, leadership as well as in agriculture.
We need to have independent agencies that are mandated with daily today management of national development, planning and implementation of national or regional economic and development plans. Setting politics aside will help the country grow, create more opportunities and reduce waste, embezzlement and corruption. We need apolitical institution that will manage the country.
The greatest tragedy with the current formulation lies in weaponizing of the masses, poor choices in terms of service delivery, economic volatility when regime change, unhealthy political competition and above all institutionalized graft. These elements make long-term investments from international communities a challenge.
It is a threat to individuals and organizations. The current scramble for elective posts is a real evidence of the danger of politics to economy. Low financial growth, skyrocketing cost of living and uncertain future, these issues are a result of an economy tied to the politics. Politician should be allowed to deal with matters of legislation in parliament, but not matters relating to implementation of policies or budgetary matters, these should be left to another independent agency.
The deep link between politics and monetary governance is the reason we have volatile economy. Many investors are afraid to invest wholeheartedly due to the political instability which repeats after every three years, that is two years before the national elections. Establishing independent economy would be the most suitable way to assure we have a stable and progressive economy.
Why should we suffer in the hands of the politicians who are not answerable to anyone, why should our economy be compromised by politicians who thrives on graft, why should the citizens be denied economic privileges through affordable health, homes, water, food and security due to political arm-twisting?
If we set out and define the roles of politicians, and demarcate the borders between where they ought to trend within the realm of our economy, we can have superior economic growth. The problem lies not with our culture, but with the political culture of operating like criminals through proxies destabilizing our economic infrastructures.
To reduce the negative effects of politicians on our economy we need to streamline their engagements to a point where, they can’t interfere or cause damage in time of peace or instability, or where they cause social instability. It is prudential to tame politicians’ actions to safeguard individual growth and national progression economically.
Robert Mungai
Cyber Security and Governance
Institute of Professional Software Engineers-IPSE
ipse.software@gmail.com
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