September 3, 2010
We either get conscious or they’ll con us by Mkala Mwaghesha Nelson
We either get conscious or they’ll con us
The new constitution that was endorsed on August 4th and promulgated on 27th of the same month may not be a rosy affair as we laymen think. Infact, its implementation may be another thorn in the flesh, as it will gauge our ability to consciously pass judgement when it comes to matters of national interest.
The new constitution is mostly based under the parliamentary system, where much power is vested on the members of parliament collectively referred to as the August House. The 222 members have been given the mandate to run the country in any way they want, considering they do not answer to anyone.
Parliament, without mincing words, is corrupt. The members are as diverse as the fingers of the same hand and their different backgrounds meet and mix in a very hot pot of boiling tempers and inflated egos. Giving power to a bunch of people who can shoot down a debate on budget allocations in protest of their demands for extra allowances is throwing the liver to the dogs. Leaving decision making to a group of people who practice double speak at the next opportunity, especially to appear popular with the masses, is putting the country at a ransom.
Case point, parliament voted to have the price of essential commodities set and monitored by the government. Any business student will tell you this is risky, considering the country economic backbone is agriculture. Agriculture is dependent on many factors; weather, price of fertilizers, demand and the prices of the products in the world market. Now, did the MPs think of the static nature they were trying to impose the traders, consumers and the government to? Luckily, the president heeded the people’s voices and turned down the bill.
And what about the ongoing debate on the legalization of illicit brew? The honoured members approved the bill, a noble idea to counter the occasional deaths caused by the brew but which is unachievable and make no sense to the common mwananchi. Why would people need to go to bars to take a drink they get easily and cheaply at every corner? Furthermore, the body that has been given the mandate to inspect the brew, Kenya Bureau of Standard, has already experienced failure if the widespread fake KEBS labels are anything to go by.
The political balance in parliament will also favour the most populous party as they will get to decide who gets what post in the government. Permanent secretaries, ministers, ambassadors and all senior public servants will have to pass through a vetting system in parliament. This means that experienced and credible persons will miss out on the jobs to people who are buddies to the party chiefs. The president’s decision and appointments will also be on the balance as he, and the rest of Kenya, awaits parliaments decision. This may cripple the country especially when the appointment or decision is critical.
On this, we as Kenyans need to be conscious of our members of parliament to ensure they do not use their powers negatively, and in the process con us.
436 said,
September 3, 2010 at 9:18 am
I agree with you Nelson. The just promulgated constitution may not be the solution to many of our problems as majority of Kenyans have been mis-led to believe. What Kenya needs is a general overhaul of atitudes and beliefs among it’s leadership crop.Without such, proceeding with the same leadership atitudes, will be tantamount to someone wearing perfume and decieving himself that it’ll suffice in adequately covering the stench occassioned by many weeks of lack of shower. Our leaders ought to have taken the proverbial bath before swearing in under the new constitution. Only then will the new constitution usher in the much awaited haydays.