Selfish interests overshadow genuine need for review of new Constitution

Then president Mwai Kibaki during the promulgation of the new constitution on August 27 2010. FILE PHOTO |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

By MACHARIA GAITHO

While “five-star Generalissimo” President Uhuru Kenyatta and Opposition leader “Private” Raila Odinga continue to divide the country with their endless blood feud, one must wonder whether any of their respective followers every pause to wonder what is in it for them.

Kenyans who pledge allegiance to either of the two leaders and their ethnic political formations have been reduced to mindless automatons, brain-dead zombies willing to kill or die for some billionaire lord while they languish in mental poverty and deprivation.

It is when the country is infected with an overflow of foolish sycophants owing blind fealty to some ethnic overlord that politics and everything else goes to the dogs.

Thus, the referendum campaign presently consuming us is not based on any of the real issues that need resolution, but is simply the latest instalment in that age-old conflict that started with old Mzee Jomo Kenyatta and old Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.

While the scions of the departed patriarchs take the conflict to the second generation, the rest of us enter the fray as cannon fodder in the foolish belief that either Uhuru or Raila represent our community interests.

Right now, we are all fixated on this referendum being pushed by Mr Odinga. We have taken positions, not on the issues being proposed for the plebiscite, but on the direction of our ethnic overlords.

President Kenyatta is opposed to the Cord referendum simply because he cannot countenance backing for anything proposed by his arch rival.

In turn, Mr Odinga is pushing for the popular vote, not on the merit of key constitutional issues, but simply as the platform for yet another political showdown.

REVIEW NECESSARY

On my part, I have been conscious since the passage of the new Constitution four years ago that in the fullness of time, a review would be necessary to seal loopholes, remove inconsistencies, and offer clarity on the many grey areas.

Given that some of the areas needing amendment are protected clauses, a referendum would then be mandatory.

I am not persuaded, however, that the issues identified by the opposition Cord or the separate initiative by the Council of Governors are the ones, or the only ones, required to be put to question at the referendum.

Perhaps if we all agreed that there are issues that need to be addressed, the solution might be in going back to Cord’s original push for national dialogue, but expand it to a bipartisan and all-inclusive approach to seek consensus on the referendum questions.

If we could all back down a little from dogmatic positions and agree to talk, I am happy to offer my humble suggestions in addition to what is already on the table.

QUEST FOR MONEY

I gather that there is unanimous agreement that we are over-represented by greedy blood-sucking leeches.

Leadership in Kenya used to be a calling until the quest for money took over.

Let us go back to the original principles by which, for example, Nairobi was led by successful men and women — the likes of Charles Rubia, Reginald Alexander, and Isaac Lugonzo — who gave freely of their time and skills in exchange for token allowances.

We can do this by eliminating those obscene salaries, allowances, and benefits so that those who seek to represent us at both county and national levels are volunteers, servant-leaders rather than jobseekers.

We have seen now that our concept of an Upper House Parliament does not work. It is just an additional burden on the taxpayer.

We can safely eliminate one of the Houses of Parliament and give its functions and responsibilities to the remaining one.

Since the National Assembly is the more bloated and expensive, that should be the one to go.

The Senate can take over all representation at national level, leaving parliamentary constituencies to the county level. This idea was sold to me by former MP Jayne Kihara.

We would also need to strengthen integrity and ethics provisions so that all public officers, including elected leaders facing criminal charges are barred from holding or vying for public officer until cleared.

Finally, I would like to be allowed to round up all the economic saboteurs behind Goldenberg, Anglo Leasing, and other mega scandals for public execution at Uhuru Park.

mgaitho@ke.nationmedia.com