Thursday, 23 August 2012

GIVEN A CHANCE, WOULD YOU VOTE FOR THE NEW CONSTITUTION AGAIN?

click here to win

The  month of august marks a significant period when Kenyans voted for and promulgated the constitution on 4rth and 27th respectively.

Since then, kenyans have witnessed a series of attempts, by both the executive and the legislature to circumvent the constitution to achieve their own selfish ends. The executive, led by president Kibaki has been criticised of making unconstitutional appointments. The latest appointments of county commissioners by president Kibaki which was nullified by the by a court ruling back in June clearly manifests this assertion. The prime reason for the court ruling was that, through the appointments, president Kibaki had contravened several sections of the constitution.
  
Parliament has also been accused of conniving and acting as a stumbling block to constitutional implementation. The latest of these attempt regards the approving of an already watered down integrity bill to the dismay of the public, civil society, and the constitution implementation commission (CIC). The original form of the bill had especially raised the integrity standards for those who wanted to vie for elective posts.

Out of the three arms of government, only the judiciary has refrained itself from these mischievous tendencies. Led by chief justice Willy Mutunga, the judiciary has made some land mark rulings that has put it at loggerheads with both the executive and the legislature. one of them is that mentioned earlier where the courts nullified the appointment of the county commissioners by president Kibaki.

In light of the above observations, therefore, several questions come to the fore; would Kenyans vote for or against this constitution if the referendum was held today? What has so far been achieved since the promulgation of the constitution? are we better off now that we have a new constitution than we were before? These are very pertinent question as we celebrate two years since we promulgated the constitution. We need to be aware of old habits; for old habits die hard and unless we resolve to shun the past shall we march forward to the future.

That is why we need to take stock of what we have achieved and what we have not. we need to stop and ask ourselves why we continue to embrace age old practices even when a new constitutional order is staring us in the face. For example as mentioned earlier on the ruling class still exhibit yesteryear's authoritarian tactics of governance. And because these are the leaders we elect, is there a  possibility that their actions reflect our character as the electorate?

 Lets first look at how Kenyans voted during the 2010 referendum. more than four million (70%) Kenyans voted for the new constitution compared to more than two million (30%) who rejected it. Although majority of Kenyans were in favor of the new laws, we can not ignore those who were not in favor. Some of those who rejected the new laws were not comfortable with certain sections in it.  Have their concerns been adequately addressed? I don't think much have been done to address their concerns. Don't forget that some of them are members of parliament and even form part of the executive. This means that they can use their positions to ensure that the implementation process is derailed; or if some bills are passed, they are changed to suit their intentions.

Secondly Kenyans need to be reminded of the dark past. It took only 28 amendments of the independence constitutions to weaken institutions, strip parliament of its powers and render the judiciary toothless. If we are not careful we will walk down that path again. we need to say No to the those who are hell bent in taking back every time we try to move forward. The new constitution has given citizens powers to stop the ruling class, right in its tracks, if citizens feel that what they are doing does not reflect the aspirations of Kenyans. One of these is the power of universal suffrage. Come March, 4rth  2013, all Kenyans who love this country should come out in large numbers and vote out those politicians who are not fit to be called leaders. Lets also vote in those who qualify to be leaders of integrity.

Thirdly, the bright future that Kenyans long for is possible to attain. The Judiciary has proved to Kenyans that it can reform. Other institutions can also reform. Yes, let nobody lie to you that that is not possible. But it all begins with you and me.


44 comments:

Anonymous said...

soma online discount coupon for soma - soma bras location

Anonymous said...

online soma cheapest generic soma - buy somatropin europe

Anonymous said...

buy soma online history of soma san diego - soma yoga pants

Anonymous said...

cheap soma online soma bras macy's - buy soma muscle relaxant online

Anonymous said...

purchase soma soma drug test detection time - soma and alcohol

Anonymous said...

soma online online soma cheap - soma addiction

Anonymous said...

order soma online will fail drug test soma - generic soma 2410 v

Anonymous said...

buy soma buy soma watson pain relief - buy soma vanishing back bra

Anonymous said...

soma sale soma pills opiates - soma 800 mg

Anonymous said...

buy soma soma - generic soma codeine

Anonymous said...

buy soma online soma es - generic drug for soma

Anonymous said...

buy soma soma little rock - buy qualitest soma online

Anonymous said...

cheap tramadol tramadol dosage guide - tramadol hcl para que sirve

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol 50mg hcl tablets - buy tramadol for cheap

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol 180 buy ultram without rx - buy tramadol 50mg uk

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol recreational use dosage - tramadol hcl for sleep

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online where can you buy tramadol over the counter - tramadol hcl or tramadol

Anonymous said...

tramadol generic can you buy tramadol online legally - buy ultram mastercard

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol 50 mg dog dosage - tramadol ultram ingredients

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol 50mg or 100mg - order tramadol online without prescription

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol tramadol itching - is it illegal to order ultram online

Anonymous said...

tramadol 50mg tramadol 100 - tramadol no prior prescription

Anonymous said...

cheap tramadol que es tramadol hcl - legal buy tramadol online uk

Anonymous said...

cheap tramadol tramadol high feeling - tramadol online forum

Anonymous said...

buy cialis online purchase cialis online usa - buy cialis online from us

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online discount tramadol online - tramadol withdrawal body aches

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol cheap no prescription tramadol 50mg recommended dosage - ultram online florida

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol 100mg online buy 180 tramadol online - buy ultram online no prescription

Anonymous said...

xanax online identify generic xanax pills - generic xanax does look like

Anonymous said...

alprazolam online yellow xanax 2mg bars - what is xanax bars

Anonymous said...

tramadol online pharmacy how is tramadol addiction treated - tramadol urban dictionary

Anonymous said...

tramadol online buy tramadol online usa - tramadol dosage instructions

Anonymous said...

tramadol online tramadol extended release 200 mg - effects tramadol overdose dogs

Anonymous said...

xanax online xanax online - buy xanax online overnight delivery

Anonymous said...

carisoprodol 350 mg carisoprodol long term effects - carisoprodol drug screen

Anonymous said...

cialis online cialis slogan - price quote+cialis

Anonymous said...

buy cialis cheap generic cialis at cvs - buy cialis with paypal

Anonymous said...

generic tramadol online order tramadol phone - buy tramadol order cheap tramadol online

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol 4 50 mg tramadol - how tramadol addiction is treated

Anonymous said...

order clonazepam teva vs. qualitest klonopin - dosage of klonopin for sleep

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol buy usa - buy tramadol hydrochloride online usa

Anonymous said...

http://www.integrativeonc.org/adminsio/buyklonopinonline/#3081 2 mg klonopin and alcohol - buying klonopin online illegal

Anonymous said...

carisoprodol 350 mg carisoprodol and weed - soma carisoprodol back pain

Anonymous said...

carisoprodol drug carisoprodol to get high - buy carisoprodol cheap