Butchery and Democracy: Will Rutoʼs government be held to account?
I am at a butchery, expecting steak. The butcher seems to know this but still decided to disappoint and teach me yet another lesson in character development. My friend Martin speaks up. He wants the number of bones to be reduced.
“Didn’t you know that ribs are the best part of beef?” Mr. Butcher utters. Martin calls out his attempt to pull a salesman pitch. But Mr. Butcher doesn’t give up, he continues to explain why meat from cow thighs is tougher because of the muscles. At this point I’m actually intrigued, I had already conceded and ironically knew ‘beef’ had no place in a butchery, with sharp and deadly tools of work.
Was I being taken for a ride and entertaining it?
Absolute trust is the phrase that pops into my mind when I think of a butchery. And not supermarket butcheries, we are focusing on local butcheries; where flies indicate how fresh the meat is. When you move to a new area and intend to live there for a couple of years, you take time to find a butchery that will feed you meat for that period.
Thorough scrutiny will be applied – how clean is the butchery? Are they fair in portioning borne and meat? And eventually, you always want to go where the majority goes because collectively, you believe you can’t go wrong. As much as you follow the crowd, initially, it is always your independent choice because consequently, the beef will be prepared in different homes and individual experiences will tell whether it was good or bad. Some will be returning customers and others not.
See, every 5 years Kenyans go to the ballot to choose a president. Voting is the epitome of exercising your democratic right and by doing this, every Kenyan has in mind hope, hope that the leader they are choosing will make their life better than it was. Despite it being a secret ballot, it feels vulnerable because whoever one chooses the fact remains that we expose ourselves to uncertainty- in every election it always narrows down to a two-horse race and you try to make the right choice.
“In 6 months’ time the stadium in Wote will be complete, in 6 months’ time the stadium in Kamariny, West Pokot which is historic will be complete. In a couple of months, the stadium in Eldoret will be complete…” These words should be familiar, a familiarity of broken promises by William Ruto alongside his then partner in the presidential bid, Uhuru Kenyatta, on June 26, 2017. The words were meant to woo voters during the launch of their manifesto.
The Jubilee government promised that instead of the five stadia pledged in their manifesto in 2013 they were actually going to deliver 9 stadia across the country, a number that went up to 11 state-of-the-art stadia.
10 years later, stalled construction and corruption have seen the delivery of all 11 state-of-the-art stadia remain to be a pipe dream; an example is the ‘Historic’ Kamariny Stadium pitch which is currently just a heap of soil, six years later.
Remember the promised laptops for grade one pupils? A KSh. 24.6B renege to the county’s children. A project that only recently caused uproar in the inter-webs after the very same laptops surfaced in the Ugandan market being sold for throw-away prices. Kenyans have proved time and again that broken promises are not reason enough to deny politicians another chance to lead and leaders have certainly had their cake and ate it.
On September 5, Kenya’s top Court made a historic ruling by upholding the 9 August 2022 election that declared William Ruto the president-elect of the Republic of Kenya.
In his speech after the Supreme Court judgment, Ruto together with his DP-elect Rigathi Gachagua made initial promises ahead of their inauguration. They exuded readiness to hit the road running once they are made official.
“I want to urge all our colleagues in this struggle, let us get to work; we are inheriting a country with a KSh. 10 trillion debt… we have work to do,” Gachagua said, and Ruto said in fulfillment of his promise to Kenyans to ensure the govt stays accountable, unlike President Uhuru Kenyatta, he will not embrace the handshake doctrine but will be open to dialogue with the opposition.
In their manifesto they sold hope to thousands of supporters, ‘hustlersʼ – mama mbogas and boda-bodas – who in his winning speech, called them heroes of this election. It will be interesting to see how the bottom-up strategy which was at the core of Kenya Kwanzaʼs agenda will be implemented.
“Kenyans are rightfully skeptical of lofty promises and seemingly well-crafted plans that never get implemented. We have developed this plan well aware that it will stand or fall on the how the question” captures the opening paragraph of the manifesto’s implementation framework, and continues to say “Prioritisation is critical because resources are scarce but also because we do not have the capacity to do everything at once. Limited resources mean that we must choose, but choosing one person’s preferences over another can create winners and losers, thereby undermining the goodwill needed to have everyone pulling in the same direction.
Enticing text, however, where the true test of democracy lies is in governance and implementation of the constitution. Our two new top leadersʼ political journey has not been without allegations of corrupt dealings amounting to billions; some were dismissed by court and others are ongoing cases.
On Monday, while thanking his friends Ruto said he will not use the criminal justice system to witch-hunt the opposition or those who critique his government like his predecessor “very special thanks goes to my friends, the people we started this journey with, under very difficult circumstances. I know many of you have suffered, have been harassed together with members of your families, and have been taken to court – the only crime being, you chose me as your friend,” insinuating that allegations towards most of his allies were just hot air.
In the Kenya Kwanza manifesto, they say “We are for completing the implementation of the Constitution, strengthening the rule of law, increasing access to justice, ensuring respect for human rights”. Now it is upon the opposition and the media to put this next govt to the task.
From voices all around the country, inclusive of regions that felt entitled to Rutoʼs win and those who had a sense of loss after the Supreme Court verdict, Kenyans are collectively pained by the state of the economy and tired of politicking. The expectation now is our new drivers will not take us for a ride but drive us towards eutopia.
The 13th Parliament will have a lot of work to do to amend the poor decisions by the 11th and 12th Parliaments that saw the country sink into a KSh 8.4 trillion public debt and unbearable inflation. The hope is that this time round, ‘waheshimiwa wataheshimu wananchi’.
The president’s in-tray should first focus on lowering the cost of living; it’s all about unga. With promises made to mama mboga and boda-boda operators, will their kitty and flowery charters hold?
President-elect William Ruto, you are the butcher, Kenyans are your loyal clients. Most expect you’ll cut them only slices of steak but also understand that that will not always be the case; sometimes they will have to deal with bones.
Shows
See AllAM Live
AM Live is NTV's morning current affairs show that sets the agenda for the day with insightful panels every weekday.
Business Redefined
Business Redefined is Kenya’s premier thought leadership platform for unpacking matters regarding economic and finance policy as well demystifying complex developments in the region’s capital markets.
Comedies
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Entertainment
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Full Episodes
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Gumzo La Sato
Gumzo La Sato is a live social issues show that aims to create awareness about issues affecting the larger society. The discussions range from Parenting, Marital bliss and struggles, Oppression, violence, and all matters of the Heart.
Health Diary
Health Diary is a weekly show that highlights different types of diseases/conditions and seeks ways to prevent, treat/manage them. The show debunks this through real life stories and also feature specialists in different fields, to offer medical advice on the same.
Letter To My Younger Self
Letter To My Younger Self is a podcast where guests get to write a letter to their younger self, from which Maxine formulates questions to ask them during the hour-long show.
Nation Reports
Nation Reports is a weekly podcast offers an opportunity for listeners to interact with various reporters and journey with them as they unravel the biggest most emotive stories.
One Health Lens Podcast
Discussing health matters and human stories from Kenya and across Africa. We talk big picture from people to policy, ecosystems, and everything in between. Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/onehealthlens
Paradise Lost
Paradise Lost peeks through the story of Louis Otieno, the times, and everything in between.
Speaking of GEN Z
Speaking of Gen Z brings you entertaining but meaningful conversations about a generation that is trying to navigate through adulthood. Join hosts Michelle, Jackie and Esther as they unravel all things Gen Z.
Sport On
Sport-On is a 30-minute sports magazine show on NTV and 3 hours on NATION FM. The show seeks to give the sports “fanatics” and “funatics” comprehensive and in-depth coverage of sports both locally and internationally.
Tech-over
The extent of technological growth is beyond mere acknowledgment; it has seamlessly integrated into our daily existence. A few years ago, the notion of paying electricity bills through mobile money or recharging with 'tokens' in Kenya seemed inconceivable. Online product sales were considered distant, and artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping various facets of our lives. Amidst these technological leaps, those with a solid understanding of tech can navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and build a sustainable livelihood. Tech over Show aims to be the platform facilitating discussions among thought leaders, innovators, tech companies, and the government, addressing challenges and opportunities in Kenya's thriving tech industry.
Thamani
Thamani is a business show which is dedicated to emerging issues regarding micro, small and medium size businesses.
The Politalk podcast
This is The Politalk podcast. Here we look into the ins and outs of everything Kenyan politics. We pull no punches and have no reason to sugarcoat anything that matters to Kenyans.
The Trend
A two-hour-long live show that airs on Fridays. The show focuses on what is current in the entertainment industry, controversial and popular across all media platforms targeting those aged between 25 and 35 years.
The trend podcast
The trend podcast highlights and captures the best of banter from #TTTT segment that airs every Friday on NTV. It's the TTTT EXTRA
The Wicked Edition
The Wicked Edition with Dr. King’ori seeks to address serious issues through humour and relatable wit. It is a two-part half hour show filmed in front of a live audience
Trending
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Twende
Twende is a travel show that highlights beautiful, unique, diverse locations, people, and cultures. The show offers fresh perspectives on familiar locations and memorable experiences in new ones.
Unscripted
This Saturday evening lifestyle show lets viewers share their stories and life experiences as openly & honestly for the purpose of shifting the culture of silence.
VIP Access
VIP ACCESS is Anyiko Owoko’s YouTube and podcast show on Music and Culture dedicated to promoting Africa’s most promising talent and creatives. This podcast grants you VIP access into timeless interviews while providing a platform for rising as well as established artists across the continent. Since launching in 2018, Anyiko has interviewed over 70 African music stars.
WADR
This weekly news show aims to have all sides of debate but not be constrained by it, listen to main voices in the contest but not allow them to hold the viewers hostage, entertain debate but allow push back with all due respect.
When death do us part
In this podcast, three widowers openly speak about the process of grief, how they found themselves exposed to the emotional turmoil of losing their wives, and how society still does not know how to deal with them.
Your World
Your World is a health, wellness and variety show. It provides a platform for audiences and experts to share their experiences on how to improve or manage health issues, across Kenya and the Africa region.