By
Nyona Matende -- Opinionated
There is no doubt that President Uhuru Kenyatta, and
his deputy William Ruto, are admired for their charismatic style and expansive
worldviews, which are indeed considered to be essential for good leadership.
However, such admiration is fast fading as the government they head resorts to desperate
measures in a bid to deal with insecurity and other challenges.
For the past couple of years, the actions of
the Kenyan Government, whether in bad faith or not, have been interpreted by
some as a deliberate attempt to limit the hard-earned freedoms and rights of
Kenyans. The government is noticeably overwhelmed by its functions (provision of
basic rights to Kenyans), and has resorted to measures that are akin to
limiting the very rights and freedoms it’s required to protect.
As expected, the unorthodox methods the government
is advancing to solve Kenyan problems have received overwhelming support from
the pro-government National Assembly.
Quite a number
of legislative pieces have been advanced by or forwarded to the National
Assembly, a supposed oversight body that is quickly morphing into the Moi-era
rubberstamp authority it once was.
These unfortunate
grouping of Kenyans elected to represent KENYANS is finding it more reasonable
to advance their own interests and interests of their political masters due to the
selfish need to safeguard their political future. Who really elected you Mr MP?
The recent fist fights that were witnessed during
the passing of the controversial security laws is a testament of how impetuous the
house has become. The critical functions of the National Assembly have been
reduced to mere rivalry between Jubilee and Cord, and the chest thumping pro-government
majority is acting like a real government marionette in its rubberstamping
duties. They are hell bend on approving anything opposed by the opposition, even
in the face of legitimate concerns.
The opposition is not blemish free
The opposition group in the National Assembly is not
however made of saints either. Who doesn’t recall when they joined hands with
their pro-government majority to pass a bill that sought to raise their own
salaries, sparking the #OccupyParliament protests? They have also provided unwavering support in
the fight for power against equally or even more important institutions like County
Governments, The Judiciary, Salaries and Remunerations Commission (SRC), and The
Senate, picking up teenage-like squabbles at the slightest overlap of powers
and functions.
There is no time in history when leaders who are
honest to the needs of their people have joined hands with contrasting leaders
for a one time good-for-leaders opportunity. If the opposition has divergent
views on what is right for Kenyans then this should be seen in all their
undertakings in the house – not only when their interests are not taken care of.
What an excuse for a National Assembly
What were are seeing is unprecedented levels of immaturity,
and sycophancy motivated by the need for political survival and material success.
Unfortunately, this was long predicted because many of the people Kenyans put
in the National Assembly during the last elections were first timers and now
they have tested power and are not sure on how to navigate the murky waters
that is Kenyan politics. So, naturally, sycophancy is the easiest way out. I think if we were to rate parliaments since
independence, this one will clearly emerge as the most rowdy, clueless, and loathsome.
In 2013, the slapdash house legislated and rubberstamped
a legislation in which media houses and journalists were to pay fines as high
as 20 Million Shillings (about $200,000) for “irresponsible” reporting. The
bill had no clear definition of what sort of reporting is considered ‘irresponsible
reporting’ and, therefore, it was more intended to limit media freedoms –
freedoms gained through blood and sweat.
It’s regrettable that the pro-government legion is the
one on the forefront in undermining the constitution. Isn’t it myopic to make
dangerous changes to the constitution just because you are on the right side of
the present day government? Anyone with
a shred of intellect will tell you that such changes will last beyond the
present day regime and, therefore, there are chances that the controversial pieces
of legislation may be used against the excited Mps who think that the
advantages they enjoy today will last for a lifetime.
As it has become a tradition, the controversial
pieces sanctioned by the National Assembly are heavily donned in legal jargon
to confuse the ignorant Mwananchi. As you may or may not be aware, many of our
MPs are lawyers who have perfected the art of scheming but no real experience
in honest and true representation.
Unqualified for the job
While Kenyans lament the incompetence of various
government agencies, I think it’s about time they drew their attention to the
most incompetent institution of governance– the National Assembly.
Why are they so incompetent?
Well, parliament is supposed to only play the roles
of representation, oversight, and law making. The national assembly is simply
an institution of governance in which the interests of the common mwananchi are
to be advanced by the people they have elected to represent them.
The constitution outlines the
agreement between the government and the citizens, and it’s the role of parliament
to ensure that laws provide the best conditions for citizens and not vice versa.
While previous parliaments have recognized this and advanced such courses, the
present day parliament is increasing being held by the balls to advance courses that are endorsed through party affiliations, whether good for mwananchi or not.
We wish to remind you that Kenyans
can live with an ineffective and weak National Assembly but will not seat back
and watch the same group play a leading role in reversing gains that were only
made possible through blood and sweat.
There are
many countries around the globe in which sycophancy as the only true road to
political success. Go there please. Kenyans just want honest leadership,
whether in parliament or the church.
Here is a challenge
If you are a
true leader do what is in the best interest of the people who elected you, even
if that puts your political future at risk, and leave KARMA to avenge the injustices
you face for being honest to your people.
It's not really about choices and consequences. It's about a parliament that is accountable to people who elected them.
ReplyDeleteI think the president's executive powerss should not influence the operations of the National Assembly in any way. Moreover, the "Tyrany of numbers" notion is now getting out of hand through the implementation of meaningless acts.
ReplyDeleteI share your views. The National Assembly should perform its functions as espoused in the constitution and not sell Kenyans for cheap party affiliations and sycophancy.
ReplyDeleteThe consequences of having a democratic nation....lets embrace it people.
ReplyDelete