RETROGRESSIVE FORCES PLACE HURDLES ON THE PATH TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW CONSTITUTION

Since its promulgation, the new constitution has faced several hurdles in its implementation and this has only left many of us wondering whether our political leadership is committed to the implementation of the new laws. Just recently a cabinet minister argued that Kenya under the new constitution is like a baby that is learning to crawl; this was in defense as to why he had not adhered to the stipulations as set out in regard to public participation in preparing the budget. This is just an argument from a very ignorant and arrogant point of view which should be treated with all the ignorance it deserves. The Kenyan nation was born when we attained our independence from the British and we have been crawling since. The clamor for a new constitution was thus necessary for the nation to start walking and eventually takeoff in speedy social-economic development and growth. The argument was just another illustration of how ignorant many of our political leaders are. Kenya has been on its knees for 48 years which can only be attributed to poor governance and lack of accountability and prudence in the use of public funds.
Negative ethnicity and nepotism that plagues our society has not helped either. In the new constitution however we have structures that can help in eradicating these vices; however rather than fight for the speedy implementation of the constitution, the forces of retrogression are busy putting hurdles on the path to a new dawn. The clauses on the budget are not transition clauses and thus their requirements should have taken effect immediately. The constitution should be respected by all regardless of their stature in the government. It is also important that the political leadership respects the constitution by adhering to the requirements of the new laws. The EAC protocol does not supersede the constitution of the sovereign state of Kenya hence those arguing otherwise are just misguiding Kenyans.

We have also witnessed several standoffs being played out in the parliamentary committees tasked with the job of scrutinizing the many laws that are required before the constitution could become fully operational. Many of these standoffs are not in the interests of the Kenyan public but are geared towards serving political interests. Our political leaders have time and again proven to be self-serving individuals, who are only concerned with what serves them best. Unfortunately for us it is this same crop of leadership that we keep sending back to parliament and come 2012 the case will not be any different. As these political shenanigans play-out; impunity, corruption, negative ethnicity and nepotism continue to take root in our society. We thus have to be vigilant in ensuring that the new laws are implemented to the last dot as this is the only way we can guarantee the future of our children and the generations to come. Lets us build on the gains of the new constitution and let us not lose focus on the prize.