It
is extremely unlikely that Kenyans are happy about our current constitution
simply because it promises greater democratic opportunities. I think majority expect
that the constitution will make possible to have good politics and good life
for the people of Kenya.
As
we pass laws to implement the constitution, let us ensure rationalization of
expenses associated with the practice of democracy to avoid, for example, a
situation where the country appears democratically advanced yet the citizens
live poor quality lives due to lack of finance for basic services. Good life
should take priority at all times. From Busia to Faza Island, from Mandera to
Migori, the state should accept responsibility for influencing the distribution
of material goods to ensure that people get a certain minimum below which no
person is allowed to sink while encouraging all to raise their status above the
minimum by their own effort (Leslie Lipson).
As
part of rationalization of the cost of democracy, I am happy that members of
parliament are proposing that recall of MP’s as per constitution be made very difficult.
If we make it very easy, managing by elections in Kenya will be a major
problem.
In
addition, in any election petition, if a re-count of votes is made and it is
found a politician “A” got more votes than “B” who was declared a winner, why
not just declare “A” the winner and have him sworn as MP rather than go through
a by-election? A by election corrupts the whole issue as the dispute has to do
with the most popular in the circumstance the elections took place and not in
the current circumstance.
Also
any project started by an MP using Constituency Development Funds should be
completed. Due to puerile hatred of previous MP’s new MP’s abandon projects
that would have otherwise been useful to the residents of the constituency. The
state would continue to have a lot of funds held by white elephants due to bad politics.
Let
us be guided in our constitutional implementation by a sound moral principle
and never make it appear that democracy is an end in itself. More national
income should be directed to human welfare.
Featured article.
By
By
J. M. Mugeni
josephat.mugeni@yahoo.com
