>> Site Map >> News
National Issues For Kenyans To Remember
#78 - 0--clubafrika--National Issues For Kenyans To Remember--2006-03-05 01:05:20
#
NATIONAL ISSUES THAT KENYANS MUST NOT FORGET DESPITE THE IMPACT OF THE BOSIRE, GITHONGO AND NDUNG'U REPORTS
Our people and their animals are still dying by their thousands due to famine and drought in many parts of the country. The crisis that was declared a national disaster by President Kibaki two months ago is yet to be pronounced over and dealt with. We are still on a disaster mode. Therefore, as we deal with the earth breaking scandals of the Bosire, Githongo and Ndungu investigations, let us not relegate our dying brothers and sisters to the back burners of our national issues.
One more thing; all these shameful economic crimes that now make us the laughing stock of the international community have a direct link to a distorted constitution over the years. The magnitude of our defective constitution which has made it possible for our political governors to abuse their offices with impunity over the years has finally put us in this hole. For this reason, the struggle to put things back to normal through a mutually acceptable constitution must also not be relegated to the back banners. Had Kenyans written a new constitution in 1990 when Kivutha Kibwana, Kiraitu Murungi, Paul Muite and James Orengo were still revolutionaries, we would probably have not had Goldenberg, Anglo Leasing and Land grabbing scandals in the scales we have them today. Had we reduced the executive powers of the President and devolved the central government in time, the economic crimes against Kenyans would not have been committed in their current scales. For these reasons, we cannot afford to forget the clamour for a new constitution - the type most Kenyans are comfortable with. - In my opinion, the issues of prosecutions, the constitution review and dealing with famine disasters can easily be dealt with concurrently by different institutions and government departments.
The ministries of Agriculture, Special Programmes, Provincial Administration and Defence should be fully deployed to deal with famine relief, digging bore holes and laying the ground work to provide water to all parts of the country. With water and food available in arid and semi arid areas, our pastoralists and nomads will be spared the agony of trekking hundreds of miles year in year out and eventually dying of thirst and hunger. It is time we maximized the utilization of our military and paramilitary personnel who have hardly fought any external aggression since independence.
Other than the moral responsibility to save Kenyans from starving to death, there is also the political motivation to intervene effectively in this crisis.
All issues considered, Kenyans may go to the polls in 2006 if the political temperatures currently fuelled by financial scandals in the Kibaki administration are not contained. However if the situation calms down then we will surely go to the polls in the next twenty months or so. Irrespective of the time we go to the polls, it is in the interest of both the incumbent and the opposition not to be faced with a damaging accusation that they stood by and did nothing as villages were wiped out by hunger, poverty and disease. It is a painful indictment that no sane politician would want to face in an election year.
The way I see it is for the ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, the Attorney General's Office, Parliament, political parties and the Civil Society to work together to create an amicable environment in which constitution talks can be restarted.
Because Kenyans rejected the type of constitution that was preferred by the establishment, it may be prudent this time round if the Justice Ministry, the Law office and Parliament played facilitating roles confined to bringing about legal structures and funding without appearing to lead the process. Since the people of Kenya rejected a government driven project last year, it may be wise to give the people of Kenya a chance to write a constitution of their choice.
As I write this article there is already demonstrated eagerness by the independent consultative groups under the auspices of the Sayari Think Tank preparing the ground for wide consultations under the National Consultative Forum due in Nairobi later this month. It will be most advisable for the arms of government charged with the responsibility of mid-wifing the process and the political class to take keen interest in this group's activities. It could be the lifeline that the constitution process most needs.
As for investigating and prosecuting individuals implicated in the Bosire, Githongo and Ndungu reports, the job can most effectively be handled by the Police Force, the Kenya Anti- Corruption Commission and special Anti- Corruption Courts in the Judiciary. As I write this article, there is already some commotion and noise in that direction, indicating that some people have finally woken up and are doing the job for which Kenyans are paying them with their sweat and blood.
If only the Police Commissioner and the KACC chief could work together in harmony instead of engaging in useless turf wars, Kenyans might just see some top dogs made examples of what tough anti-corruption laws can do to change our national psyche.
On all these fronts, the media must play a leading role in ensuring that there is no let up on any one of the issues. If the media goes to sleep on any one of these issues, public pressure will surely wane and with it the will of the authorities to pursue the desired changes.
That is the way I see it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ATTRIBUTION GUIDELINES:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This article was first published by Jerry Okungu and clubafrika.com under a Creative Commons licence.You may republish it free of charge with attribution for non-commercial purposes following the guidelines listed below. Commercial media must contact us or Jerry Okungu for permission and fees if any.
If you choose to publish it on your website please include the following line at the end of the article.This article by [author] was originally published in clubafrika.com . If you enjoyed this article, visit www.clubafrika.com for more: [Link To Article Here]
Content on Club Afrika is covered by disclaimers.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5 License.
Discuss this article in Club Afrika Forums I Discuss this article in Club Afrika Forums II 50 Most Recent Topics - Club Afrika Forums I Board Summary - Club Afrika Forums II Recommend Club Afrika to your friend: Click Here Invite your friend to Club Afrika Forums: Click HereBlog This Topic!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------comments-->0--657--7
