It is apparently clear that the proponents of the bottom-up economic model are hard pressed to explain its philosophical underpinnings.
The model that is being promoted by Tangatanga group allied to Deputy President William Ruto is causing confusion because of its ‘mongrel’ nature.
According to its proponents, it is neither the current devolution system nor a new concept, but rather a libertarian idea whose time has come.
The nearest Tangatanga has come to unbundling the model is during a workshop held for Mt Kenya elected leaders allied to the group at a resort in Narok.
One would expect such a meeting to include all leaders from other regions who might also be struggling to understand the model, but it appears the target was Mt Kenya leaders who require proper brainwashing.
Suffice to note is that Tangatanga meetings on serious issues are being hosted away from the hustlers, who the group is purporting to represent.
This has also been apparent when the group that is preaching the poor man’s ‘political religion’ is selecting candidates for by-elections.
That the common guy is totally outside the equation of Tangatanga leadership is no longer secret.
It is noteworthy that Narok meeting tried to pannelbeat the model into Kibaki-economics in vain.
By usurping the former president’s economic idea, Tangatanga hopes to inherit Kibaki’s goodwill, especially in the Mountain region.
This approach in philosophy is not different from the wheelbarrow ‘revolution ‘ whose target is Mt Kenya’s youthful unemployed voters.
In a nutshell, it is as if Tangatanga has pegged all its hope of acquiring power on Mt Kenya region only.
That as it may, the bottom-up system is turning out to be a Babel Tower as different Tangatanga leaders attempt to explain its real meaning.
I listened to one on a local TV programme equating the model with Equity Bank model of small depositors, while another defined it as the hustlers a.k.a jobless Mansion to Canaan. Oops!
Whatever the definition, the fact of the matter is that the bottom-up economic model as propagated by Tangatanga is a smokescreen.
Firstly, those advancing the model are the same ones who are complaining that the government of the day is not serious about supporting the current devolution system of governance but are now offering an equivalent unconstitutional model.
Secondly, they are doing so when it is obvious the goal is to acquire power through any means necessary, even a revolution.
Has any revolution happened without disruption of constitutional order? Your guess is as good as mine.
This is the reason why the group will never support the BBI-initiated constitutional amendments, which is orderly and focused.
Will Tangatanga get its wish?
For Tangatanga team, to topple constitutional order to achieve power is debatable, but my view is it is futile to do so.
Unlike in 2002 when almost all regions in the country were anti-Moi, the Tangatanga onslaught against Uhuru in Mt Kenya is a different ball game all together.
By undermining Uhuru in his political backyard, the group thinks that it could cull favour with the rest of the country. However, this approach is backfiring so fast.
The President’s strategic regional tours, that commenced in Nyanza (Luo land) should be a wake up call to Tangatanga to never underrate Uhuru Kenyatta.
The Head of State is determined to prove to Kenyans that contrary to what his detractors are preaching, his government has largely delivered, project by project, region by region.
I see a situation where these development and charm offensive tours concluding in Mt Kenya region where Uhuru must prove a point that he has not denied his political backyard its share of development resources.
Meanwhile, it is not lost to political and economic observers that the drivers of bottom-up economic model are playing mind games with the masses.
In the heart of this model are basic tools of economic activities such as wheelbarrows, sewing machines, car washing, saloon and barber equipment, which Tangatanga claims are what the jobless Kenyans lack to be employed.
Of course to ice the deal, the group promises jobless Kenyans capital to invest in businesses of their choice.
Interestingly, Tangatanga is not telling the poor where money for loans or to buy those tools will come from.
The group has completely avoided talking about corruption, which is the greatest hindrance to this country’s ability to afford what it is promising wananchi.
Rather, Tangatangas are shouting loudly about police intimidation, official mistreatment, government failures, Jubilee Party discipline matters and other allegations to justify their motive for alternative leadership.
I hold no brief for any group but on the opposite side of political divide, the drivers of BBI process have clearly demonstrated that they wish to enhance the existing constitutional space to incorporates emerging socio-political and economic dynamics.
Although both groups seek to acquire power, one side plans to do so through democracy, while the other unconstitutional means.
Since the political ball is in the public platform, it is upon Kenyans to prudently choose which side to join because mine is an exterpolation of truth.
This truth may or might not set anyone free.
Kaunda wa Muchunku
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