By Billy Mijungu
Expenditure

Prudent financial management in government is not a matter of choice but a necessity.

One key area requiring urgent reform is the handling of per diems and daily subsistence allowances for public officials.

The traditional system that allows for cash disbursements has not only created loopholes for misuse but has also led to inefficiencies in expenditure tracking.

The solution lies in transitioning to an electronic payment system using a dedicated government expenditure visa credit card.

The need for fiscal discipline in public service cannot be overstated.

Every year, millions of shillings are lost through exaggerated claims, double payments, and outright ghost expenditures linked to per diems and travel allowances.

By implementing a system where all official travel and office expenditures are made through a government-issued credit card, the state will ensure every transaction is recorded, justified, and traceable.

This will eliminate the culture of public officers pocketing allowances without actual expenditure.

An electronic payment system is the foundation of accountability.

With a government expenditure card, every payment is captured in real time, making it easy for audit trails to be established.

Public officials will no longer have the latitude to inflate costs since each transaction will be verified at the point of payment.

The days of withdrawing large sums of cash under the pretext of official duty only for the funds to be misused for personal expenses will be a thing of the past.

The impact of such a policy would be felt from the highest office to the lowest cadre of government staff.

The head of state, cabinet secretaries, principal secretaries, and all civil servants should be bound by this financial discipline.

If top officials lead by example, the rest of the public sector will follow suit.

This is not just about cost-cutting but about ensuring that public funds are used for their intended purpose.
Moreover, transitioning to an electronic system will enhance budgetary planning.

The government will be able to analyze real expenditure patterns, eliminate unnecessary costs, and allocate funds where they are genuinely needed.

With digital records, treasury officials can quickly assess trends and adjust policies to curb wastage.

Critics may argue that some situations necessitate cash withdrawals.

While exceptional cases may arise, these should be kept to the bare minimum and subjected to strict approval processes.

The primary mode of transaction must remain electronic to safeguard public funds.

Ultimately, the goal is to instill a culture of responsible public finance management.

The days of officers pocketing per diems for workshops they never attended or inflating travel costs to make personal gains must come to an end.

A government expenditure visa credit card is not just a convenience but a necessity for transparency, accountability, and fiscal prudence.

Public money belongs to the people and must be spent with the highest level of integrity.

By Remmy Butia

In the intricate tapestry of Kenyan politics, the 2022 general elections brought to light a fascinating interplay of loyalty, strategy, and historical alliances.

One of the most notable outcomes was the re-election of Ndindi Nyoro as the Member of Parliament for Kiharu Constituency.

Nyoro, a staunch supporter of President William Ruto, rode on the wave of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party’s popularity in the Mount Kenya region.

However, his victory and the overwhelming support for UDA in Kiharu and beyond cannot be fully understood without acknowledging the role of former President Uhuru Kenyatta and the political debt of “Kumi Yangu, Kumi Ya Ruto.”

The Rise of Ndindi Nyoro

Ndindi Nyoro, a young and dynamic politician, has steadily risen through the ranks of Kenyan politics. His re-election in 2022 was a testament to his growing influence in Kiharu and his alignment with William Ruto’s bottom-up economic model.

Nyoro’s campaign resonated with many voters who saw in him a representative of the younger generation, ready to champion their interests in the national arena.

However, his success was not solely a result of his personal appeal or political acumen.

The Role of William Ruto

William Ruto’s influence in the Mount Kenya region cannot be overstated.

Despite being from the Rift Valley, Ruto forged a strong political alliance with the Kikuyu community, the dominant ethnic group in Mount Kenya.

This alliance was crucial in the 2022 elections, as it helped Ruto secure the presidency and, by extension, bolstered the campaigns of UDA-affiliated candidates like Ndindi Nyoro.

Ruto’s message of economic empowerment and his promise to uplift the “hustlers” struck a chord with many voters in Kiharu and the wider Mount Kenya region.

Nyoro, as a close ally of Ruto, benefited from this wave of support.

His victory was, in many ways, a reflection of the broader political shift in the region, where voters were willing to break from traditional loyalties to support Ruto’s vision.

The Debt of “Kumi Yangu, Kumi Ya Ruto”

However, the story of Ndindi Nyoro’s success and the UDA wave in Mount Kenya is incomplete without mentioning the role of former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The phrase “Kumi Yangu, Kumi Ya Ruto” (My Ten, Ruto’s Ten) became a rallying cry during the elections. It referred to the political debt that many Kikuyu voters felt they owed to Ruto for his loyalty to Uhuru Kenyatta during the latter’s presidency.

During the 2013 and 2017 elections, Ruto stood firmly by Uhuru’s side, even when it was politically expedient to do otherwise.

This loyalty created a sense of indebtedness among the Kikuyu electorate, who felt that it was now their turn to support Ruto in his presidential bid.

This sentiment was powerful in Kiharu, where voters overwhelmingly supported UDA candidates, including Ndindi Nyoro.

Gratitude to UDA and Uhuru Kenyatta

In light of this, Ndindi Nyoro and other UDA leaders in Mount Kenya owe a debt of gratitude not only to William Ruto but also to Uhuru Kenyatta.

It was Uhuru’s earlier alliance with Ruto that laid the groundwork for the political realignment that ultimately benefited UDA in the 2022 elections.

The “Kumi Yangu, Kumi Ya Ruto” ethos was a powerful force that drove many Kikuyu voters to repay their perceived debt by voting for Ruto and his allies.

Moreover, Nyoro should be grateful to the UDA party for providing a platform that aligned with the aspirations of his constituents.

The party’s focus on economic empowerment and its ability to mobilize support across ethnic lines were crucial factors in Nyoro’s re-election.

UDA’s success in Kiharu and other parts of Mount Kenya was a collective effort, driven by a shared vision and a sense of political reciprocity.

Ndindi Nyoro’s re-election as the MP for Kiharu is a testament to the complex and dynamic nature of Kenyan politics.

While his appeal and commitment to his constituents played a significant role, his victory was also shaped by broader political forces.

The alliance between William Ruto and Uhuru Kenyatta, encapsulated in the phrase “Kumi Yangu, Kumi Ya Ruto,” created a sense of indebtedness that influenced the voting patterns in Kiharu and beyond.

As Ndindi Nyoro continues to serve his constituents, he should remain mindful of the political debt that contributed to his success.

Gratitude to the UDA party and an acknowledgment of the role played by Uhuru Kenyatta in shaping the political landscape are essential.

In the ever-evolving world of Kenyan politics, understanding and appreciating these dynamics will be crucial for Nyoro and other leaders as they navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Dr.Edris Omondi(Advocate)
attorneyedris@ywcg.org

There are men of God, and there are men sent by God.

Several years ago, I met a man in the course of my legal profession who inspired my life beyond our average social set-up.

The story I’m about to share may seem tragic, but it carries with it a powerful message about the significance of small actions.

The wife of this man survived a plane crash.

She was admitted to a city hospital with the hope of recovery but tragically fell into a coma.

A year later, she succumbed to her injuries.

While the outcome of her recovery was heartbreaking, what struck me was the devotion of her husband.

For an entire year, he faithfully brought a fresh rose to the hospital every day, right around midday.

His wife had loved the fragrance of fresh roses.

Every day, as she held the rose to her nose and whispered a prayer, the nurse would clean the room in anticipation of another fresh rose the following day.

And indeed, he never failed.

It was a simple yet deeply touching act that impacted the entire hospital facility, leaving an indelible mark on everyone who witnessed it.

This story has been a perfect example in my life, of how small actions can have far-reaching consequences.

In a world where many often feel helpless in the face of overwhelming challenges, it’s easy to forget that the smallest of gestures can have a ripple effect that extends far beyond our immediate surroundings.

The late Nobel Environmental Laureate, Professor Wangari Maathai, once gave a compelling illustration of this reflective idea.

She told the story of a hummingbird determined to put out a huge fire that was consuming an entire forest.

All the great, powerful animals—elephants with their mighty trunks, lions with their strength, and other creatures who could have easily brought water to douse the flames—stood around, helplessly watching the fire destroy their habitat.

But one small hummingbird refused to give up.

It flew to a nearby stream, took a drop of water, and carried it back to the fire.

It repeated this, up and down, tirelessly.

The larger animals mocked the hummingbird, telling it that its wings were too small and its efforts were futile.

But the hummingbird, without hesitation, responded, “I am doing the best I can.”

How often do we get people ridicule our efforts in life, trying to pull us down that we are not good enough, perhaps based on our past encounter with them.

This small, determined bird’s actions mirror the choices we face every day.

In our families, in our communities, in our nations, we are all called to do the best we can, even when the task seems daunting.

Just like my friend who carried fresh roses every day for his wife, we, too, can make a difference with our small acts of faithfulness.

Keep on moving-keep perfecting your art.

It may seem insignificant at first, but over time, these daily gestures have the power to transform the world around us.

Take, for example, the mother who teaches her children kindness, respect, and empathy, instilling values that will shape their future and, by extension, society’s future.

It may seem like a small thing—one mother, one family—but it’s a seed planted in the hearts of the next generation, ensuring that kindness, love, and morality continue to flourish in the world.

Consider the individual who picks up litter from the streets, who conserves water, or who plants trees.

It may seem like a minor effort in a world overrun by environmental degradation, but these small actions, when multiplied by millions of people, can begin to heal the Earth, one step at a time.

And what about the businessman who runs his company with integrity, refusing to compromise on ethical standards, no matter the temptation? The impact of his leadership extends beyond his organization.

It sets an example for employees, clients, and competitors alike, fostering an environment of trust and responsibility.

In our communities, the simple act of helping a neighbor, standing up against injustice, or offering support to those in need may appear trivial.

Yet, each of these small acts creates a ripple that inspires others to do the same, gradually transforming our neighborhoods into stronger, more compassionate places.

It’s easy to feel discouraged, to think that our individual contributions don’t matter in the grand scheme of things.

But like the hummingbird, we must remember that doing our best, even in the face of enormous challenges, is what matters most.

Each small act adds up.

One fresh rose at a time.

One drop of water at a time.

In conclusion, we might have been victims of a defeatist bandwagon and the nay-sayers.

Perhaps worse off, fallen prey and joined their lackluster nature-who cares attitude.

My grandeur readers, desperation actions reclaiming and recreating our society does not require grand gestures or monumental changes all at once.

It requires us to commit to the small, everyday actions that reflect our values and our desire to make the world a better place.

As we move forward, let us remember, as the good book says-we could have all fallen short of the glory-but let us remember that it’s the little things, done consistently and with purpose, that ultimately shape the world we live in.

Like the fresh rose brought to the hospital each day, our individual actions, no matter how small, have the power to transform lives and inspire others.

The future of our society lies not in waiting for others to act, but in doing our best, every single day.