YVONNE'S TAKE: 3, 2, 1...Launch!

Launch. A word defined in the English Dictionary as to start or set something in motion. Well, the Dictionary does not go further to dictate how this should be done. But I think here in Kenya, we have taken it further. Much further. You see, sitting in a newsroom, we often get an invitation to the launch of something or the other. Sometimes, it is the media launch to announce the launch of an event that will take place at a later date. We also mark, commemorate many events, dates, milestones, you name it.

So, I was watching the telly today and the country was marking one year since the re-launch of the e-Citizen platform. Pomp and circumstance. Cabinet Secretaries, Head of Public Service, heads of government agencies and departments. Red carpet was rolled out for a 2 hour event. But look beyond the two hours, because it takes time to prepare before this and time to dismantle everything once it is done. How many man hours were spent on marking one year of a government service? And what were the highlights of it?

Well, awards for the best users of the service. That sounds a little curious to me, because it is a government service after all. Anyway, it was also during this commemoration that it was realised that there are over 20 government agencies that have yet to onboard onto the platform. It took a whole year and an event for these agencies to be read the riot act? Couldn’t the President have just sent them a memo? They have not onboarded onto e-Citizen over the last 365 days but will now do so in 7 days?

Another example is the performance contracts signing. Another very big ‘launch’ event. Members of the diplomatic corps, security service officials, State law office, Governors, Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, leaders of both Houses of Parliament, all seated for hours, watching one after the other walk up, bow or curtsy, sign a document, whose contents we are not even made aware of, before the country on live television, and then take their seats. With another speech complete with the riot act. Please note that the public is not even made aware of the report of the previous year’s performance. Money and many hours of precious productive hours are spent on such events. But, we seem to launch everything in this country.

We launch a system to support poverty reduction, we launch stipend program, we even launch water taps that are dry, we launch school feeding programs, we launch capacity building programs, we launch community development management information systems, oh and don’t we love launching roads. We launch everything. And when we are done, we re-launch them! And then go on a robust defence of why we need to relaunch those projects.

Now, I am sure one would say that this forms part of public accountability. But at what cost? Those events aren’t cheap. Sound systems, red carpets, tables, drapes and so much more. Not to mention the fact that government officials who should otherwise be working and what we like to call “building the nation” are held up for hours at these events. In any event, why launch what is supposed to be your daily duties? Well, in some instances it is good to celebrate milestones, don’t get me wrong, I am no party pooper. And I promise you, I am fun at parties, at least my friends will attest to that. But these launches just demonstrate how performative we seem to be in this country.

Would it seem that we are more concerned with optics, more than substance? Being seen to do the work rather than just getting on with it. I mean, at this rate, maybe we should have a mini event to launch News Gang every Thursday evening. Oh, and while at it, November marks 6 years since we did the first ever News Gang show here on Citizen Television. In the spirit of “launching” I propose an event to mark 6 years of News Gang and you’re all invited! It will be one for the books. Except, I might be speaking out of turn here, because I don’t sign the cheques in this company and the ones who do will no doubt call me and issue me with a memo after this.

See how ridiculous that sounds? But, don’t mind me, I will just sit here and wait for the next launch event tomorrow.

That's my Take!