Over the weekend, Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka was heard bitterly complaining at the manner in which Kenya Bureau of Standards MD Kioko Mang’eli was sacked.
Later, he was on Speaker Kenneth Marende’s case, saying that Marende had committed an illegality in allowing the Ringera debate to proceed in Parliament.
One should note that he did not say the manner in which Ringera was appointed was illegal.
Kalonzo, you lawyers are confusing wananchi. Some say Ringera’s appointment is legal while others say otherwise.
But it is sad the reason you were saying Mang’eli’s sacking was illegal is because he is a fellow tribesman.
{Benjamin Masenge, Gucha}
Much as it is wrong to sack an officer on the grounds of his tribe, it is also wrong for the same individual to rally his community once he is sacked claiming his people are being targeted.
Why do we always read tribe in everything? In the first place, was Dr Mang’eli employed because he was Kamba or Luo or Ogiek? Let us get the facts right before we make wild claims.
{Faruq Kyalo, Tanzania}
Kalonzo’s attack on Marende following his ruling that allowed Parliament to debate Ringera has shown the country he is against the fight to end impunity.
When he says that the Speaker is undermining the powers of the Executive, I take this to mean the President can do anything and get away with it.
If we follow this line of thought, then nobody dare question the President, even if he breaks the law.
However, the decision Marende took does not mean he is partisan because a section of PNU members have also rejected the re-appointment of Ringera.
We know the VP is trying to build a name for himself in readiness for the 2012 General Election. But he should not do so by supporting everything the President does, even when he knows it is against the law.
If he can abet an illegality now, how bad could he turn out if he became President? He should realise that Kenyans are watching him closely.
{Gordon Sikei, via e-mail}
