In recent weeks, and despite the coronavirus crisis, it seems that political tensions are again escalating, with headlines describing internal disputes within the Jubilee party as well as conflicts developing between DP Ruto and Raila Odinga.
We have similarly witnessed emerging legal disputes, alongside parties pursuing extra-legal avenues to promote personal interests. Such machinations are expected as we edge closer to the 2022 national election. However, the current crisis our country faces requires us to see beyond these disputes and work as a team in this time of need.
Recent indications have led the World Health Organisation (WHO) to announce that the worst of coronavirus is not yet behind us. Many more will still die as this contagion slowly makes its way through our country and the continent as a whole.
As President Uhuru has emphasised on a number of occasions, “Unity and coordination will defeat the coronavirus pandemic”. Party infighting and politically calculated manipulations will only detract from our president’s efforts to secure our country in this trying time. This is not only disrespectful to our government, but harmful to the long-term wellbeing of our nation. The time has come to put an end to this and focus on what is important.
Most vital at this stage are efforts to ensure that we are adequately prepared for future potential upsurges in infected citizens. This is being spearheaded by our Health CS Kagwe and includes converting more hospital wards into secluded coronavirus treatment centres. Isolating those infected is one of the most important aspects of flattening the curve.
This will make sure that the number of critical cases do not exceed the capabilities of our health system or the capacity of available facilities. The president has placed this at the centre of the national strategy he has been employing. In the words of the Health CS, “Clearly we must also prepare for the worst. And mentally we must prepare ourselves to face an insurmountable situation”.
Energy and time spent on political bickering should better be used to make sure that every part of our country is ready to face this crisis.
One of the biggest challenges to date has been to prevent the virus from sweeping through the less developed, rural areas of our country. After all, even the simplest things like washing your hands with soap are infinitely more challenging in rural areas.
Similarly difficult is the issue of social distancing. Relying on one breadwinner, some citizens have reported that even when coming down with mild symptoms, they cannot afford to self-isolate. Determined to put in place the health provisions needed to protect all citizens across the country, Uhuru tasked the Multi-agency Taskforce on Covid-19 with finding solutions.
Our national response to date has been commendable. Imagine though, how successful we could be in fighting this common enemy if we were to unite all of our efforts in accomplishing this task. The famous handshake and subsequent Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) were exactly about this.
All our politicians must get on board. American president John F. Kennedy paraphrased this well when he famously said, “In a time of domestic crisis, men of goodwill and generosity should be able to unite regardless of party or politics”.
Such unity has been displayed at the international level as well. Countries have put aside deep rooted political differences to jointly address this common threat. These include the EU bypassing the existing sections regime against Iran to provide it with much needed humanitarian aid; India and Pakistan easing border restrictions to help fight the virus; and even Israeli companies setting up testing labs in the Hamas run Gaza Strip. This is something we can certainly learn from.
It is of course tempting for politicians to seek to take advantage of crisis for political gain. Those tempted should remember that Members of Parliament are called public servants for a reason. Elected by the people, they are expected to have the well-being of their electorate in mind at all times. In the short term, this might come at the expense of political gain.
But ultimately, the public wants to see its leaders unite and do the right thing. In the long run, mature, national leadership is not only good morally, but is also good politically. The public will remember those who acted responsibly, and will not be quick to forget those who pursued political gain when facing the greatest threat to humanity in decades.
