The Tenth Parliament has hit another low thanks to the paradox of numbers. The hubris of “we have the numbers”, and “like-mindedness” are consequences of party indiscipline, and incestuous politicking.
MPs have hopped, jumped, and stepped on their electing parties at whim. Now, they want this legalised because those who call the shots have the numbers to get away with such impudence.
Game of numbers
With numbers you can do anything – like adulterating the Constitution for whimsical ends. Like rescuing a paymaster who has lost in the presidential election. You can manipulate MPs to give losing presidential candidates soft landing via nominations. The Constitution reserves nomination slots for minorities and special interest groups. But since those more deserving have no voice, those who have the numbers can always trample on their rights.
With numbers “special interest groups” and “minorities” can mean anything, depending on who is wagging the tail. Presidential election losers can be a ‘minority’ and a ‘special interest’ group. They have the wherewithal to manipulate ‘automated’ voters in Parliament. They can ‘programme’ most MPs – including your MP – to do their bidding. Some of them may not have been physically present in Parliament last Wednesday night and Thursday morning to impose the controversial amendments. But it was clear to right thinking observers who was paying the piper.
Gachoka MP and Democratic Party presidential aspirant captured the opportunism of the moment. He was saying a little sin during bad times could be excused. He was giving a circumstantial justification for sin. Coming from a minister of the Baptist Church, the alibi was hilarious in its selfishness: The Reverend is a hand-on party hopper.
The Reverend Musyimi defended his amendment to shield party hopping MPs from losing their seats during a “delicate transition”. They are ‘reconciling’ the nation by party hopping.
“This nation is in transition and transitions are not easy. We need to give parties the necessary legal framework during this transition to facilitate negotiations that are about the future of the country,” Musyimi sermonised in solemn tone fit for the sacred shrine
“The law was made for man, not man for law. If it is necessary to change the law we should do so without feeling intimidated,” he added.
Well, during famine a hungry person can get away with theft, even though the Ten Commandments admonishes, “Thou shall not steal.”
The interest of those wagging the tails is self-preservation. They say 80 per cent of the Constitution is good. Now, they are defiling the 20 per cent, which is in the public interest, like party discipline, and bringing integrity to leadership and the presidency.
