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Very little hope for constitution
Related to country: Kenya

At least for as long as the current political set up in Kenya still holds there are chances that we may still end up without a constitution. Already, the two parts of government have put their proposals over the constitution on the table. They are just as different and full of contradictions as one would expect. While one side for instance draws heavily on the Bomas draft that has been at the centre of confusion the other one seems fluid and determined to hold.
Both sides are digging in for a referendum battle even before listening to the merit of the other side’s proposal. The ultimate draft will have to be subjected to a referendum and its anyone’s guess what politicians will do. The history of polling and referenda in this country has never been based on issues, as long as it is politicians who are mandated to explain the content to the largely ignorant public. This begs for a little soul searching: do we really need the constitution first. Well, it about the egg and the hen and what should come first.
The trouble with the previous systems of seeking public appraisal of issues has been that politicians have always taken the opportunity to sell their own agenda mostly with nothing to do with the initial objective. They are bound to pick issues with virtually anything while at the same time distorting it.
The political ground is all set for this kind of drama. The economy is at a record low with too many unemployed souls to let loose on the streets again as campaigns for and against sentences and clauses of the constitution hit the political fan. In brief, there are too many vested interests and scores to settle for a conducive environment.
Alternatively, if parliament could be sensible enough to remove itself from the process of the constitution and only leave it to experts and more focused Kenyans, then there could be some hope. The current scenario will only yield a PNU draft and an ODM one and, of course politics and chaos. Politicising the constitution making process and content will only take us round and round. It is time we thought of where our priorities lie. It would be better to correct the politics before going into any serious business that may require some politics at some point. The political arena is too dirty for any meaning ful business and maybe that is where those calling for an election before the constitution is may have their point. Anyone sharing my view?

July 29, 2007 | 5:08 AM Comments  4 comments
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Comments
patsibo Patricia Sudi
July 29, 2007 | 11:18 AM
Smoking Ban
The ban has its both positives and negatives,on the positive end it is at least catered for non-smokers who were suffering unconsiderably around smokers especially the rude ones in closed places like public transport who would not listen to their pleas to be considerate and at least puff when they alight.
On the negative end its on the issue of women who smoke and the designated places. Because of the kind of social set up Kenya has,such women are disadvantaged when out of their vicinity of their houses,they have to do without the magic stick. All in all the ban is good towards the implementation of safety healthy measures in our country/
wheasel Ndakalu
August 20, 2007 | 12:43 PM
Affirmative Action
Do women really need favours? Wont it depict them as much more weak and deserving of male protection? And what about those women who have been able to exell without the support of men?Margaret Thatcher became one of the most powerful individuals in the world without being proped by some legislation.Women can still vote themselves into power if they wanted.They make 52% of the population and can hold sway without men.Ngilu tried, women let her down in 1997!
wheasel Ndakalu
June 15, 2009 | 9:15 AM
Obama: Is the world trying to reinvent itself?
Since the inauguration of the Obama presidency, the world has changed in many ways.His speech to the Islamic world did just as much to remove stereotypes.Obama's history with Islam, blends well with the liberal mindedness of the American society and is also a true reflection of the real world. With a Drunken Kenyan father, a white American mother whose family must have their roots somewhere in Europe, Obama's mother went to Indonesia, a country renowned for its Muslim numbers.
He smokes, tasted weed and definitely did everything else anyone can do.I'm not sure how many African presidents appreciate the internet.But is he just another example of a break from tradition.
While Americans ignored all the negative attributes that included racial references to vote it a 'socially inferior' President,South Africans disobeyed all the conventional wisdom to vote in Jacob Zuma, a person many considered a snob and a far cry from the futuristic and polished Mbeki.
Then there is the Madagascan DJ. Discos are not such a favourite topic of moralists. In preferring a disc jockey to any other member of the society, the people of Madagascar demonstrated the growing aversion with the mainstream and the conventional.They didn't care whether he was even underage so long us he could provide a break from the monotony of straight thinking that doesn't seem to get anybody anywhere.
The Guineans were more candid. They cheered on a junior military officer, in spite of condemnation from the international community that coups were no longer fashionable. It is the wearer of the shoe who knows where it pinches, they retorted.
wheasel Ndakalu
June 15, 2009 | 9:17 AM
Breaking from the conventional
In Kenya, the youth are even more restless. The old guard having demonstrated that wisdom no longer has anything to do with age, are gearing up to challenge the old types that cherish in a peaciful status quo despite the cost to every thing else. With all the pre-2008 presidential hopfuls in office, Kenya is a country of three presidents who should be delivering on their pre-election pledges threefold since all of them are in power. But they have instead chose to divide and run the country down three fold.These inward looking tribal chiefs.
The next thing Kenyans will be doing is voting into office little known, youthful, charismatic and knowledgeable boda boda operators, or even fishermen. The earlier we broke the tradition of recycling leaders the better.Does Gideon Moi, Uhuru or Jimmy Kibaki know how to make strong tea for supper, or have the patience to remove a jigger? I guess anyone like Obama can.
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