Unstable political parties hallmark of our democracy

By Njoroge Kinuthia

Ours is a peculiar democracy. Granted, we are still toddlers, still learning to walk, tottering on the democratic path. But this democracy thing baffles and befuddles PointBlank.

We are a vibrant multi-party democracy, so vibrant that we boast of scores of political parties, some which you will never hear about in your life time. Ideally, a political party brings together like-minded people who want the country governed in certain way.

shared confusion

But ours isn’t a country of ideals and ‘like-minded’ politicians. That’s why they fight and change political parties like clothes. They have no shared vision – only shared confusion.

Political parties don’t stand for anything anymore. They are formed and – when they stink– discarded like dirty rags for convenience. And just like their honey-coated manifestoes, parties are merely ladders with which to ascend to power and money. That’s why they don’t stand the test of time. That’s why politicians keep hopping like grasshoppers. That’s our brand of democracy, folks. But do we need them such parties?

I’m still poor, student tells loans board

The Higher Education Loans Board (Helb), says Erick Kiprop Naibei, should improve on their service delivery. The second year Law student at the University of Nairobi who benefitted from the board’s loan last year, complains that the board has failed to release his money despite the fact that he filled the forms as required.

Upon inquiry, he was advised to wait for another two weeks before the loan is processed.

“There was no clear explanation as to why the loan was not processed since February this year when I presented my application form,” he says.

Kiprop says that there are “quite a number of students” with a similar complaint.

Helb, he adds, should know that needy students who had relied on the loan for their fees are disappointed and they should have been notified earlier so that they can seek other alternatives.

“Isn’t there an implied term that once I apply for the loan and I am awarded the first time I should also be awarded the second time as long as I still qualify?” he asks. He can be reached at [email protected].

DPP’s ‘stinginess’ hurts doctor

Dr Mawira Mate is convinced, and for a good reason, that the office of Director of Public Prosecutions doesn’t care much about State witnesses. In 2009, he filled a P3 form for a suspected murder case, but was soon after transferred to another work station.

In July, he received a phone call to go and testify in High Court Embu about 100km from his current station. Even though he was not served with a court summon, he obeyed and drove for one-and-half hours to Embu.

On arrival he met the OCS who was investigating the case. He had also been transferred and had travelled from Siaya to Embu to testify in the same case. At 10am the defence lawyer sent a court process server to report that she would be late. As a result, the case was postponed. “We were not reimbursed for transport and obviously will be required to appear at a later date,” laments Mate.

Mate says according to the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board, doctor’s who make an appearance in court should be reimbursed Sh5,000 to Sh10,000 every time.

“Can the DPP explain the methods his office uses to refund State witnesses?” Mate can be contacted on 0724382171.

Resident counsels Nairobi council

Hawkers trying to eke a living should be licenced, not harassed and taken to court for “failing to bribe the council inspectorate”. That’s the suggestion of city resident JK Wambugu, who says he has grown tired of seeing askaris harassing charcoal sellers, cobblers and newspaper vendors in Nairobi West.

Mr Wambugu advises that instead of “wasting time asking for bribes which never reach City Hall” and chasing people who are trying to eke an honest living, the council should concentrate on repairing broken water and sewer pipes and generally improving service delivery.

DON’T YOU FORGET

Did Kampala Coach probe assault allegations?

Ms Anne Eboi, a regular traveller to Kigali, Rwanda, wrote to PointBlank on September 6 complaining that she had been mistreated by crew of Kampala Coach Bus Services. Eboi and her friend booked bus (Reg. No. KBN 901F) on September 5 and were to be picked up in Eldoret. However, when the bus arrived, there were no seats reserved for them as agreed. When they asked why, the driver rudely told them that he “wasn’t concerned and they should ask whoever did the booking”. In the ensuing exchange, Eboi said the driver jumped out of the bus, ran after her friend and assaulted her. When her friend went to complain at their office, the bus drove off with her luggage, which was later left in their Bungoma offices. Did the management of Kampala Coach investigate these serious allegations by their customer?