The presidency

Today at 10.40am, as I was walking from GPO Nairobi towards Serena Hotel, I came face to face with wanton oppulence often associated with the presidency.

The road had been cleared of all traffic 10 minutes earlier, then big cars, yes, big cars, all carrying at most two people, but most with only a police driver, at least I counted 60 of them. All escorting His Excellency to I dont know where.

President Kibaki, as president of Kenya needs state security. But, let me ask, why be escorted in such a big fleet, with only about 5 cars carrying security agents. Why have such a big convoy of one man cars?

Honestly, can a poor third rate country like ours, with a non performing economy, support such oppulence?

I remember Kibaki, then as an opposition leader in parliament complaining of such a convoy. What has changed now, that the president should have such a big fuel guzzling convoy, and Hon Kibaki keeps mum. He even used to wonder then, what Moi was afraid of.

Can we also ask now, with the benefit of hind sight, what is President Kibaki afraid of, that he surrounds himself with such heavy security and empty cars?

This reinforced on me that this man can never keep any promise.

Odhiambo T Oketch,
Komarock Nairobi