During the ‘change the constitution debate’, the main bone of contention was the immense powers wielded by the presidency.
Many people were, and still are, of the view that the Constitution has created an executive dictatorship. In the heat of the debate, many were of the opinion that Kenya should adopt a parliamentary system.
We have witnessed Parliament’s intent to muzzle the media, apparently because of their unwillingness to drop the debate about MPs taxation.
We have also seen Parliament vote time and again to raise MPs salaries, making them some of them best paid legislators worldwide.
Although we still need a new constitution, Kenyans need to pause and ask — if Parliament with its present powers can be so tyrannical, greedy, callous, and arrogant, what will it do if it gets more executive powers in a new constitution?
One wonders whether the parliamentary system that was being mooted by the politicians was not a Trojan Horse that would see the end of the few democratic gains we enjoy.
Politicians do not want presidential powers to be reduced for the benefit of Kenyans, but rather for their own selfish ends.
As soon as they get to Parliament, they put their personal interests ahead of everything else.
We have all seen that the august House is not immune to dictatorial tendencies. We can imagine the nightmare of 222 dictators lording it over us.
But the same politicians are trying to make us believe they are with us. As we prepare ourselves for a new constitution next year, let us re-examine the parliamentary system, versus the presidential one to avoid jumping from the frying pan into the fire.
Were it not for the powers that the President has, the draconian Communication Bill would have been law by now.
Nderitu Kariuki, via e-mail.
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Did I hear our MPs agitate for a parliamentary system of Government? Can we trust them? If they were calling the shots, wouldn’t the Communication Bill already be law?
At least there is still some hope because the President may not assent to it.
Lawrence Okiya, Nairobi.
