Re: : We need to support Hon Raila--How about supporting the people of Kenya?

Hi Lameck,

First in terms of Anglo leasing and the never ending corruption scandals, I would like to inform you that it serves no purpose agonizing about them. The system of governance we have now is specifically made to enable those in power to embezzle with impunity. Even right now this very minute do you know what the various powerful people are doing to fleece tax payers? I bet my last cent you don't know. The ones which come to light like Anglo leasing are just a tip of the iceberg.

Why is it that we really don't how much is being embezzled? Because the government is opaque, i.e there is no transparency or accountability. There is no freedom of information and if you as a citizen try to ask questions you are threatened by the elite looters (Githongo had to run away to spill the beans from outside the country-and remember he was part of Kibaki election team).

So ndugu Lameck, this is the sort of system you are asking us to hand over to yet another group, a group that is not entirely new, but have so many cobwebs that they are terrified of a transparent and accountable system that may expose their past, present and planned future misdeeds.

You say:
>When the government finally agreed to tablle a bill to
>address the section 47 and to open up chances of
>enacting a new constitution, I thought that they will
>actually go ahead with the idea and let the debate
>settle out on the floor of Bunge, but you choose to
>defend the decision not to table the bill simply
>because some opposition MPs threatened to shot it
>down. I don't see this holding any water.

I have not defended the decision not to table the bill. That is why I have said both the government and opposition MPs are equally guilty for letting Kenyans down. Don't you think that a progressive group of MPs should have been the ones pushing the government instead of the other way round?

Those in government are usually known to drag their feet when it comes to constitutional changes that are aimed at watering down their powers. Now if the opposition can be dragging their feet than the government, what do you think will happen if at all they happen to ascend to power? Will we even move an inch?

You say:
>Sadly, you are the one trying to defend a government
>that has not delivered. The government holds the
>streering wheel, not the opposition MPs. That is
>stright simple fact. Face it and don't specialize in
>what the opposition has not done. The contract to
>deliver was given to one Mwai Kibaki. If he lets the
>opposition derail him for whatever reason, he is still
>the one we will judge in the next few months.

No, I am not defending the government, I am blaming the government, TOGETHER WITH an opposition that behaves exactly as the government it is trying to replace.

In terms of who holds the steering wheel with reference to constitution making, the people of Kenya resolved a long time ago that they didn't want a government-driven constitution or parliament-driven constitution. What they wanted and still want is a people-driven constitution. The government, parliament, civil society and so on are part of the stakeholders that represent the general populace. Parliament actually holds the steering wheel in terms of setting the ball rolling. The government is needed to provide the necessary funds and supportive environment for constitution-making.

Any member of parliament is free to move a motion in parliament seeking to entrench the constitution. So if Karua was dragging her feet then any MP could have moved a motion.

But in terms of readiness to move with comprehensive reforms, the government was ready for comprehensive reforms, but the opposition said they were going to the streets to push for minimal reforms (just enough to enable them to get elected)

As said above, it is the opposition's role to push the government towards reforms.Since the opposition not only did not push, but went out of their way to derail Multistakeholder Committee, we apportion blame appropriately.

GOVERNMENT-Failed Kenyans by not proceeding with reforms as promised.

OPPOSITION--Failed Kenyans by not pushing for reforms as well as blocking government proposal for comprehensive reforms, which is what Kenyans have been waiting for 15 years.

GOVERNMENT=OPPOSITION=BAD GOVERNANCE

I wish you luck in defending the failed opposition.

Tegi Obanda Ottawa, Canada May 4, 2007