Mr. Charles Mulila, a media practitioner, has revealed that when President William Ruto and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua assumed power, the Bottom-up Empowerment and Transformation Agenda officially became the development model. He says They also had the significant task of “rewarding” those who had contributed to their victory, not just economically but also morally and spiritually.
To address this legitimate expectation, a special purpose vehicle named Kenya Kwanza Shareholders Plc was established, with Deputy President Ruto overseeing it.
According to Mulila, this principle of considering supporters extended from the constitution of the Cabinet to the appointment of constitutional office holders. However, a reality check occurred between the first and second year after the change in regime in Kenya.
Charles Mulila has suggested that the shareholder system was a transparent way to manage the loyalty and reward system, helping to prevent falling out with supporters.
He believes it worked effectively because prominent figures in Deputy President Ruto’s political movement received their rewards through appointments to key government positions.
He also credits the President, stating that the Cabinet represents the face of Kenya. However, Mulila points out that the political landscape has shifted, with the Executive President now having extensive resources and information about the entire Kenyan population.
This realization, according to Mulila, has led President Ruto to understand that unnecessary populist confrontations with Kenyans hold little value, both in the present and looking ahead to 2027. Therefore, he must adopt strategies that align with moral principles.
“But the political Ruto has now been replaced by the Executive President, who has the apparatus to know what each of the 40 million-plus Kenyans ate for dinner, if at all.
“This truth confronts him every morning. Essentially, he must have realised that unnecessary, populist duels with Kenyans have no value now or in 2027. And since he can’t rewind the clock, he has to employ tactics that will make him look morally right.” He wrote on the Standard newspaper.
Mulila’s viewpoint suggests that while the shareholder system can continue, it should be complemented with a more rational approach.
He asserts that the divisions of “Azimio” or “Kenya Kwanza” are essentially rooted in tribal affiliations, often fueled by self-interested leaders and followers who may not fully grasp the implications of their choices.
By Newshub