Parliament and Speaker must keep reform fire burning

Mr Speaker Sir, allow the Public Watchdog to address you and our Legislature on the critical subject of national reforms.

Today, Parliament resumes sittings after a short recess and the country’s eyes are fixated on you and the House to provide leadership, where the Executive arm of Government has failed or is experiencing challenges.

The pertinent question, Mr Speaker remains: Are you and the parliamentarians committed to charting a new progressive course?

This is amid challenging business expected to come before the House — in particular facilitation of consensus on a new constitution.

The country is at a threshold of what could yet again serve as Parliament’s moment of truth in re-navigating a suitable model of a new constitutional dispensation.

The elusive dream to build suitable governance and justice pillars, through comprehensive review and adoption of a new law has become a mirage of sorts with successive parliaments failing to deliver on it.

The current phase of reforms demands resolute leadership by you and Parliament. This is essential to give impetus to the collective effort towards building consensus aimed at convergence of views on matters, which thus far, have remained contentious.

Mr Speaker Sir, the Tenth Parliament has within two years of its existence already made what can be characterised as indelible footprints in a number of areas under your leadership and direction. The first milestone being the constitutional amendments that ushered in the Grand Coalition and saw creation of the offices of Prime Minister and two deputies, in a new governance structure following the most divisive elections of our time.

The second is with respect to the decisive censure of Mr Amos Kimunya as Finance minister on the Grand Regency saga.

The Third is your landmark rulings on the Leader of Government Business crisis following competition pitting nomination of the Vice President by the President and contention by the Prime Minister.

Then came your ruling on the role of Parliament and the Executive with respect to appointments of director and assistant directors to Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC).

Growing maturity

This was followed by the decisive matter, with respect to Parliament’s rejection of the President’s purported re-appointment of Justice Aaron Ringera, as director of KACC and his two Assistant Directors — Fatuma Sichale and Dr Smokin Wanjala — without parliamentary approval.

These actions marked a watershed in demonstrating assertiveness of Parliament and growing maturity — potential of bipartisan political will, all of which are critical in any modern democracy.

Thus, the Tenth Parliament can make a difference in ensuring accountability in government and facilitate reforms.

Mr Speaker, Parliament has certainly made progress in its sphere of influence but, as a country, a myriad challenges continue to confront us. It is now critical that our country’s successes must continue to inspire the people, underpinned by your resoluteness and an instrumental House.

In this respect, we desire an organised, proactive backbench of legislators, coupled with a focused Executive. It is, only, through our individual and collective efforts and bipartisan culture that we can achieve our national reform agenda.

Parliament must remain at the forefront as a critical pillar for ensuring accountability in government as well as in spearheading necessary national reforms.

Mr Speaker, whilst we commend legislators on the growing bipartisanism in dealing with matters of national public interest, we must caution against vulnerability to becoming captive to vested interests, which are in pursuant of narrow political expediencies for monetary gain or other influences.

We say kudos to those parliamentarians who have demonstrated a strong sense of independence, upholding the dignity of Parliament and gusto in serving the public interest — including resisting manipulation by vested interests at all costs.

Mr Speaker, the message to the Executive must be that Parliament cannot be manipulated or for that matter, subject to meddling or authority of the Executive arm of Government for that is the wish of the people.

Mr Speaker, with respect to the question of dealing with post-election violence, the Executive has mismanaged the process and Parliament cannot and must not become a convenient scapegoat after the horse has bolted and the Executive is now desperately seeking to close an empty stable.

Out of their control

The solution now rests with one Luis Moreno-Ocampo since our leaders have abdicated their responsibilities, making any enduring resolution on the matter now a subject of ICC justice system. The sooner leaders realise the consequences of this process, the better for all. As of now the matter is out of the control of President Kibaki or Prime Minister Raila Odinga, no matter, how much they speak of any local solution.

Mr Speaker, it is now Parliament’s turn. Can you unlock this impasse or has fate beholden our nation, as our leaders have chosen not to lead the way in finding an acceptable solution towards promoting national harmony and preventing impunity?

This is a matter of compelling public interest.

—Comments and suggestions to
publicwatchdog@standardmedia.co.ke

 

 

Read all about: National Assembly reforms MPs reforms new constitution Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission KACC Luis Moreno-Ocampo

 

 

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