YVONNE'S TAKE: Don't insult our intelligence! We are Kenyans

The first shot of the supposed truth went for the circumstances Kenyans are living in; they are global, not local, Kenyans were told. Well, let’s assume that is accurate; for a nation on its 60th year of self-determination; a country of leaders that often proclaim “We are Africans, and Africa is our business”, we are sovereign etc. Why the sudden passing of the buck from local to global?

If our problems are global, and, as we have been told recently, are out of our control, then, pray tell, who should we seek answers from? President Biden? UN Secretary General Guterrez? Or perhaps we could try the UK Prime Minister, after all, they are our former colonial masters and what’s more, Mr. Rishi Sunak has some Kenyan roots… and yes, how about requesting Ukrainian President Vlodymyr Zelenkzy to take a minute off his war with Russia to discuss our ‘global’ problem?

Kenyans are well aware of what is going on around them. We are the ones living through the effects of all that goes around us. We know there is a war between Russia and Ukraine that has affected the supply of grain foods that we serve on our plates every day. We also know that Kenya does not produce her own oil, and there are no known oil deposits in estate backyards. 

Kenyans are good global citizens; they see what is happening with the shilling vs. the dollar exchange rate. We are businessmen and women and we know the struggle of acquiring dollars to import the goods we sell. We therefore understand how that exchange rate would pose challenges in purchasing fuel products. We know this; we know all of it.

It must upset many Kenyans when leaders speak to them in a condescending tone, of a kind spared only for some Kindergarten truants. Folks, Kenya is blessed with some of the most well-informed populations on earth, so, the ‘obvious brigade’ owes Kenyans some respect. Do not insult their intelligence. Kenyans know for example, how KRA has struggled to meet its revenue targets, even long before the COVID pandemic struck. 

The same Kenyans have long raised issue with the rising debt, for over 10 years now. Kenyans know much about Eurobond and how it remains one of the most unaccountable lines in the government books. 

What about the SGR? We got it at over 3 times its initial budget and we got half of it. Kenyans know Ethiopia built a longer, cheaper SGR line, an electric one no less. 

So, spare Kenyans the insults of the so-called difficult truths, Kenyans know a lot. Kenyans are very well-informed. Do not forget for a moment – wajinga waliisha Kenya. 

There is only one truth to be faced, governments are elected not to eloquently explain problems, but to provide solutions. Of note, to governments, problems don’t care about geography – they can be local or global or indeed both! Now get down to work and do what governments are supposed to do.