ANALYSIS: Kenyatta popular, but tainted
Uhuru Kenyatta, scion of Kenya’s post-colonial political dynasty, continues to enjoy popular support for his promotion of development — but there are persistent allegations of corruption
In public, Kenya’s fourth president comes across as warm and caring. If you don’t take to Uhuru Kenyatta for his personality, you’ll be drawn by his energy, his youthfulness (he is 55) or his ability to communicate his government’s development agenda. Kenyatta’s frequent acts of kindness have earned him admiration at home and helped shape his image as one of the continent’s most charitable and accessible presidents. For example, the first phase of a US$3.8bn railway between Mombasa and Nairobi is ready in time for the election. And more than 2m people have been connected to the national electricity grid. Kenyatta has also made strides in the health sector, by providing free maternity cover. However, none of these projects has been without controversy. Government has been accused of inflating the costs of the railway. And the health ministry has been dogged by a scandal that culminated in the suspension of $21m in US government funding in May. In 2015, the National Youth Service was ...
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