Kenyans have expressed their displeasure with the way President Uhuru Kenyatta has increasingly been filling civilian positions with military men over the past few months.
However, the president has responded by defending his position saying he was seeking suitable people for the jobs. He even threw a jibe at those criticizing his choice.
“The other day some people went to court claiming that I am in the process of militarising the country. I have no such intention. It’s only a fool who cannot utilise the expertise that’s our disposal at almost cost-free,” said the president.
Uhuru was speaking at the City County Garage on Dar es Saalam Road in Industrial Area where he flagged off 87 trucks and light vehicles for the ongoing city regeneration programme under the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS).
Members of the Kenya Defence Forces repaired the trucks, which were initially slated to be sold on as scrap metal.
The NMS is headed by Maj-Gen Mohamed Badi.
He said his main objective is to achieve what he promised Kenyans, and was keen to tap appropriate talent for the task, including from the military.
“The best way to actualise this is through use of the available expertise at the country’s military, which is almost free. We are using Kenyan expertise and technique at our disposal,” the president said expressing shock that close to 100 vehicles that had been earmarked for sale as scrap metal could only cost Sh22 million for repair.
“About three months ago when we visited this garage, we were told by those we found here that for 8-9 years the vehicles that had stalled in the yard, were earmarked for sale as scrap metal.
Out of touch
However, Kenyans especially youths feel that Uhuru is being insincere.
With runaway unemployment, the youths feel sidelined and the president’s comment about the suitability of the military utterly insensitive.
“Uhuru anajali tu wazee, vijana hawako kwa equation yake’, a young man on social media lamented
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In the launching of the trucks to be used by NMS, Uhuru congratulated the KDF for restoring vehicles that would otherwise be sold off s scrap (as is the norm with government).
“We were also told that the only way was to sell the vehicles as scrap metal, because that had been the norm, he noted praising the military men for the excellent work they had done.”
“Hongera KDF…hongera KDF…hongera hongera– (thank you our military men, thank you so much),” the president said.
Uhuru said that 22 retired KDF mechanics were hired for the repair of the vehicles and that the govt will hire 50 more from KDF pool of retirees.
Despite this, it is well to say that the danger of militarization is death of democracy and entry of dictatorship, where a few people get very rich at the expense of the many.
In an act of gerontophilia, Uhuru has filled key positions with former politicians, some even above 85 years at the expense of unemployed youths.
Jubilee is the same regime that promised 2 million jobs to the youths in 2013, 7 years later, premium tears.
