Eric Simiyu Wafukho
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In order for democracy to take root ,grow and blossom it is critical that both the majority(read government) and the minority(read opposition) play their roles sacrosanctly and avoid any scintilia of sounding sanctimonious while at it.
It is now nearly a year since the last general election was held in Kenya where Kenya Kwanza Coalition clinched the presidency and Azimio La Umoja , the opposition.
In keeping with Kenya’s constitution, once the Supreme Court as the final arbiter in presidential elections arbitral process pronounced itself that Kenya Kwanza had won, that settled the matter.
By dint of that ruling , Kenya Kwanza formed the government and Azimio La Umoja formed the opposition.
Having observed how the opposition is handling its affairs , I see opportunites for national transformation that the opposition has not pursued aggressively. In a sense, the opposition has let Kenyans down and it must put itself together lest it reduces itself to nuisance value.
- An opportunity to drive electoral reforms that strengthen IEBC , revamp electoral management systems. If the bipartisan dialogue was handled in good faith and expanded to include other stakeholders , it would deliver this to Kenyans. This drive is a more noble move than simply pushing for the opening of the server whose outcomes have no legal provision on how to handle them.
- An opportunity to have an internal conversation as opposition, assess the performance in the last election and put in place mechanisms for strenthening the opposition and playing its role. More reflection is needed on how the parties that constitute opposition now behaved while in government. The same lessons should be learnt by political parties currently forming government lest they repeat the mistakes when out of power.
- An opportunity to provide reasoned alternative policy positions and policy actions which would help address the painpoints of hunger and the cost of living, among other challenges. Who are the think tanks within the opposition who can articulate alternative policy positions and policy actions? During the implementation of MDGs then and onto SDGs , a simulation IA program called T21 was developed for Kenya but which is rotting in the USA. How can it be retrieved to enrich alternative policy positions and policy actions? This would ensure that the country does not rely on the wisdom of a few in crafting development priorities.
- An opportunity to strengthen political parties by strengthening leadership structures and giving focused attention on coalitions. When one looks at the current scenario , we have a situation where coalitions are fragile and armophous. This is an opportunity to reimagine governance architecture as a country. Some of the challenges that we have include poor internal consultations within parties and coalitions before decisions are made ; lack of political hygiene; and , ineffective coalition structures.
As it stands now both coalitions forming government and forming opposition cannot transact business as coalition because their leaders that formed the Summit before elections are not the same ones who are summit members after elections.
In Azimio La Umoja , who are the Summit members given the happenings in Jubilee Party?
The Kenya Kwanza coalition presents a unique challenge in that only the President and the Speaker of National Assembly are principals who remain as party leaders to their parties. The rest gave up the leadership of their parties in order to take up their new roles. So how would Kenya Kwanza hold its summit that brings together the principals who are leaders of coalition parties? How would internal coalition disputes be handled? An opportunity exists to strengthen governance. - An opporrunity to build models of excellence in implementing devolved functions in counties which are under the controll of the opposition. As an example, the opposition could easily bring together its governors and roll out a food security strategy in the select counties since agriculture is a devolved function. There is need to demonstrate strategic leadership that gives Kenyans hope and not engage in endless lamentation.
- An opportunity to clarify maandamano agenda and conduct maandamano in a way that does not make a bad situation worse. There is need to avoid engaging in acts that border on economic sabotage. However, the picket and demonstrate as provided for in the constitution remains a right which no one can take away and every generation must stand up against anyone who attempts to take away that right. However this is not an unqualified right but must be enjoyed in the context of the meaning of “peacably and unarmed”. Granted the manner in which the situation has been handled is unfortunate and should be condemned in the strongest terms possible and those concerned should be brought to book expeditiously.
- An opportunity for Azimio La Umoja to play the role of opposition and let Kenya Kwanza to play the role of government. Allow Kenya Kwanza to implemement their manifesto which was the basis of their election. When your time comes you will also implement yours. Do not worry so much if they fumble or fail to deliver but wait for them at the ballot. Four years is not a long time. Ultimstely the electorate will give their verdict. However, as statesmen, do not hold the country hostage but do that which is in your power as opposition to seek the good for the country, for this is the only country that we have.
GOD BLESS KENYA
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