This archive report was first published on 17 December 2019.
Published on December 17, 2019, by Michael Mugwang'a
Kenya's Politics Needs More Than Just Diversity ¶
For a long time, diversity has been a buzzword in Kenya's politics, with politicians promising to bring different voices and people from diverse backgrounds into decision-making positions.
However, this concept has often been used as a mere facade, with politicians throwing a bone to certain groups in the hope of placating the population.
It's time for Kenya to move beyond diversity for diversity's sake and focus on true inclusivity, where everyone has a say in the decision-making process.
President Uhuru Kenyatta's Building Bridges Initiative has taken a step in the right direction, with recommendations that aim to make Kenya's politics more inclusive.
One of the key recommendations is to increase the allocation of funds to counties to at least 35%, giving them more autonomy to spend on their own needs and requirements.
Another significant recommendation is the creation of a Prime Minister position, which will share power with the President, Deputy President, and Cabinet.
The idea of a Shadow Cabinet is also an important one, as it will provide powers of oversight and allow for competing ideas and arguments on every issue.
Furthermore, the recommendation that every person vying to be a Governor should have a running mate of the opposite gender is a massive gain for gender inclusion.
These recommendations are a reflection of the Kenyan public's desire for a more inclusive politics, where everyone has a say in the decision-making process.
