The Jubilee government’s image is at risk as citizens continue counterchecking facts from the recently launched portal delivery.go.ke.
Instead of breaking down the numbers to show how much projects cost and what progress has been made, the government’s PR seems to be backfiring with revelations that some of the projects are only complete on paper but nothing much to show on the ground.
A Facebook user Kamau Gatwechi has successfully fact checked what has been happening in Nyeri focusing on Chaka Market which according the government was allocated Sh476 million and is completed.
However, a tour of the area shows that only the perimeter fence is constructed and which is also not complete.
The reality on the ground at Chaka Market Hub. Nothing has been done so far despite the government saying the project is 100% complete. [Photo: Kamau Gatwechi]
During the launch, NTV’s Larry Madowo who was moderating the sessions asked President Uhuru Kenyatta to explain why the price of unga had increased. Despite Madowo risking losing his appeal to host other government events, the question was weightier than its face value.
This questioning shows that the government PR has lost its hold on Kenyans who are questioning the much-touted growth. They cannot feel it!
Instead of breaking down the figures, the government has been chasing its own tail and even believing the fodder being peddled on social media by the so-called 36 bloggers.
Unless Kenyans have the numbers and tangible projects, the tale will forever be that tens of hundreds of billions were stolen.
Back in Nyeri, Chaka Market should have been complete but that is far from the reality. How many more projects are being fronted but in reality are white elephants?