What we are reading today is the results of the illegitimate elections of 2017. The Fresh Presidential Elections, the 26th October 2017, the ones where two dynasties didn’t get together in a free and fair elections. After the first elections of 2017 was on the 8th August 2017, which was happily dismissed and the IEBC had to make new elections in the same year. This was because, the verification of results and ballots was fraudulent. Not that the elections of October 2017 was any better, but the parties didn’t go all through it. Because, Raila Odinga and Uhuru Kenyatta had an handshake on the March 9th 2018.
So, today’s report is about this and the arrangement between the dynasties of Kenyatta and Odinga. They might have made it into a Taskforce, where they are Building Bridges to Unity or Building Bridges Initiative (BBI). This is an initiative made between them and not a direct public inquiry nor one made by the public for the public. This is the political elite finding new steps and statutes to settle grievances between themselves.
I will take some snippets from the 156 pages long report, but will not digress too much into it. As this is made for the parties and their own private interests. This is not for betterment of the Republic, but more for securing the facilitation of the current status quo and the leadership itself. To think otherwise, than the Fresh Presidential Elections of 2017 would have ended differently, just like the August polls did, earlier in the year. That is if this was free and fair, as it was forged results fitting one man and his elite.
“Kenyans have God-given rights that must now stand alongside a Kenyan Charter of Citizen Responsibilities that is inspired by the National Anthem and the National Values, and includes a Patriot’s Pledge to the Nation and the Constitution of Kenya (for schools, workplaces, and official national and public events)” (BBI Report, November 2019).
As a Christian is a nice ideal to involve the faith in this manner, but still for a Republic and a pluralistic society and government, the BBI and the government itself should focus on the rule of law, constitutionalism and this to ensure the respect of laws for the citizens. What they are putting first is the faith and GOD, not what what should be put first from a governing perspective. Unless, the government is a church and a place of faith.
“Prime Minister — Within a set number of days following the summoning of Parliament after an election, the President shall appoint as Prime Minister, an elected Member of the National Assembly from a political party having a majority of Members in the National Assembly or, if no political party has a majority, one who appears to have the support of a majority of MPs” (BBI Report, November 2019).
This is revitalizing the role of Raila Odinga, to have another one position in the cabinet and within government. That is to really have yet another big-man, so they have more leaders within the high-ranks. Instead of directly appointed by the President, the person is there on accord or consensus of the whole Parliament.
“Leader of the Official Opposition — The runner-up of the Presidential election becomes an ex-officio Member of Parliament and the Leader of the Official Opposition if his or her party is not represented in the Government, or of a coalition of Parliamentary parties not represented in the Government” (…) “Question Time — The Opposition will play a key role in Prime Ministerial and
Ministerial Question Time sessions in Parliament. Question Time is an opportunity for MPs to question Government Ministers about matters for which they are responsible” (BBI Report, November 2019).
This is clearly made in the fashion of the Parliament in the United Kingdom. They are clearly wanting the Corbyn Versus Theresa May, they want the public to be squaring off between the opposition MPs and the Cabinet. To answer for themselves and to be accountable. Not only suddenly hold some Press Conference. This would be what this means. While also, letting the loser of the Presidential Election still having a place and a role in Parliament. That is to clearly give way and be viable, still after elections.
“No Kenyan Left Out — The ‘Kubadili Plan’: As part of ensuring that all Kenyans have access to quality services which are foundational to putting people onto the path of shared prosperity, the Taskforce proposes a Kubadili Plan to bring marginalised wards to the level generally enjoyed by the rest of the country. The plan will be to identify the Wards which are most marginalised, at present and historically. Implementation should start with the Wards ranked last. Develop a plan to build schools, health facilities, roads, water, electricity, and police stations, in a way that the people of the whole Ward have access to them; and ensure that the facilities are built in all the Wards within a period of three years” (BBI Report, November 2019).
The ‘Kabadili Plan’ is just what the government is supposed to do, just on Ward level of government. This plan is what the government is supposed to do and isn’t a magic trick. This is just making it into a text and naming it something. The government are supposed to deliver basic needed services and this isn’t rocket science, but apparently the Taskforce see the current state not fit to do this.
“Public Officers should not be in business with the Government — Address conflicts of interest by reducing Public Officer involvement in business with the Government” (BBI Report, November 2019).
Another basic one, as a person is in public office, shouldn’t have conflict of interests nor have the powers to give business advantages because of it. That is why many big-men in the past has given away or let their businesses into trusts, while they been in government. This should also be natural, also show what businesses the public officials, what sort of land and other assets they have. That will implicate them and also where they should recuse themselves from voting or participating in the process.
This is what I found as interesting within the report. It was a lot more, but this will be discussed. We can wonder what implications and what will be implemented by this report? Because, there is very little other than a big hoopla and not so much flash. We have to wonder if this will make any changes, if the Taskforce plans to bring forward Constitutional Amendments and other laws to reinforce what it t states?
That is if, this report has more value, than buying time for Kenyatta and Odinga. Because, unless something of this will be considered. There need to be more than launch and a final delivery of an report. This needs laws, motions and amendments, if they are sincere about what this one says.
Since, there is a lot of words and well-wishes, but not significantly addressed in the Report. They are talking of it in the conclusion, but then they are pushing the recommendations without considering what all might think of these. Some are good, but then again, this was a match between to parties not the whole Republic. Peace.
MinBane 