KENYA: The near fist-fight between Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero and Senator Mike Sonko during a Senate committee meeting is disrespectful of the institution of Parliament. The august House is called so because of the respect, decorum and sober debate it should promote. Voters send their representatives to Parliament to make laws, articulate their views and grievances, and protect their interests. They expect the honourable members to debate soberly and conduct themselves with dignity and decorum.
The shouting match between the Governor and the Senator during an audit of the county government’s use of resources clouded the issues at hand, negating the reason for the meeting. It brought utter shame and disrespect to Parliament and legislators.
The bad behaviour is exhibited both in the Senate and the National Assembly. It is not lost on Kenyans that it is the 11th Parliament that had legislators ignominiously blowing whistles to disrupt the President’s speech on one occasion, and in another, women’s undergarments were removed as a sign of protest.
Only this week, some eight parliamentarians were locked up in police cells on charges of incitement.
It would appear that the excesses of some our MPs is getting out of hand — whether it is attempts by these legislators to pass laws that increase their perks; or the inappropriate conduct of members of the Public Account Committee in the National Assembly who attempt to use their positions to enrich themselves.
The untoward behaviour of these parliamentarians is blight on the country’s leadership.
These trends perhaps illuminate the inability of political parties to vet individuals seeking tickets to contest elections.
Perhaps the final arbiter should be the voter. As the General Election approaches, voters will have a final say on whether or not to reject charlatans and intemperate leaders.
The challenges facing the country cannot be resolved through histrionics and fisticuffs. The dehumanising poverty, poor healthcare services, lack of education opportunities and unemployment can only be addressed through focused leadership and selflessness.
The 2010 Constitution offers a platform for committed individuals to transform Kenya’s fortunes. It calls for a high calibre of leaders who are able to articulate issues without resorting to violence and insults. Is the current leadership up to the call?
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