The visa ban by the US government of a top Government official perceived to be a stumbling block in the reform process was laudable.

The move sounds a clear warning to other officials that the international community will not sit back and watch a few individuals frustrate the quest for change.

However, what is needed are not piecemeal measures like visa bans but a complete overhaul of institutions that are not living up to people’s expectations.

Sacking of certain individuals, though necessary, is not prudent because entire systems are rotten to the core.

For instance, the transfer of Hussein Ali to head the postal corporation only served to transfer a problem from one place to another. What is happening in the corridors of power is just but a game of musical chairs.

Unless and until Kenyans own the reform process, they will forever be held to ransom by politicians whose only concerns are to serve their selfish interests.

Wananchi must agitate for reforms in the churches, mosques, schools, the media, in the streets and at home. Only then can change become a reality because no government is immune to people power.

{Ayub Rays Osinde, Bunyore}

A standoff between those who want a comprehensive constitutional review and those happy with the review of the so-called ‘contentious issues’ looms large.

Some are even pegging their support on the inclusion of the equally contentious Kadhi’s Court in the new constitution, failing which, they say, they will not support the new laws.

It appears we are once more headed for the cliffhanger that was the 2005 Bomas caucus where we achieved nothing even after spending billions of shillings of taxpayers’ money.

The question on everyone’s mind is whether there ever was the political will to give the country a new constitution — a document that a lot rests on.

Ours has been a case study in hypocrisy where every new kid on the political block promises to give us a new constitution in the ‘shortest time possible’ only to turn out to be a bigger joke than those who came before him.

Somebody ought to be bold enough to tell Kenyans the proverbial camel might first enter the needle’s eye before we realise the so-called new constitution — comprehensive or piece-meal.

{Kabaria Muturi, Nairobi}

Debate on the review of constituency boundaries is raging with MPs vowing to shoot down the Interim Independent Boundaries Review Commission (IIBRC) draft when it comes to Parliament.

Politicians are divided over the criteria for creating new constituencies in the wake of President Kibaki’s declaration of one-man one-vote.

The debate is welcome, but it should not compromise the work of the commission. IIBRC’s recommendations should be informed by the overriding public views and steer clear of the short-term, selfish political interests of status quo agents.

Electoral boundaries should not be used as tools for political contests but as a guide for the fair distribution of national resources.

{Elisha Kichia, Nairobi}