The Harmonised Draft Constitution schedules an abundance of politics for Kenyans but does not set a ‘time specification’ for equitable infrastructural development.
Unfortunately, an inordinately long period in the years after Independence saw lopsided infrastructural development that was dictated by a small clique of influential politicians.
This was based on perceptions of (dis)loyalty to the Head of State and the Government of the day. These unplanned and impulsive infrastructural development benefited the ‘loyal’ constituencies but bred resentment in the rest of the country.
An approach of this nature not only stagnates Kenya’s overall growth but, if not redressed, eventually provides a recipe for a national implosion, which almost happened last year.
The draft constitution helps perpetuate this morass of unplanned and lopsided development by failing to set an infrastructural development schedule for every tax-collecting Government of the day.
Equitable national infrastructural development must remain a primary purpose of the State, and not a reward system to be dispensed on the impulse of an incumbent President or their cronies.
Build the nation
To build the nation, the draft law must enshrine a schedule for equitable national infrastructural development. This would be of greater benefit to our developing country than politics for politics sake.
There is need to enshrine in Chapter 22 of the new constitution (for each proposed level of government) specific details of the kind of development wananchi can expect to see from the Government.
First, on roads, the Government of the day shall ensure the tarmacking of five kilometers of roads in every constituency every year.
Second, the Government shall ensure that five boreholes are dug for communal use in every ward until there is no more water shortage.
Third, every year, the Government shall ensure that at least 1,000 homes in every county, where applicable, are supplied with electricity at an affordable cost and minimal tariff.
Fourth, on sports, the Government shall endeavour to construct to completion, a stadium equipped with a football pitch, a running track and a gymnasium of acceptable international standards in every county.
Each must have seating capacity of at least 30,000 spectators.
Fifth, since health is a basic human right, the Government should construct to completion and fully equip one hospital in a different ward every year. It should also ensure these hospitals are staffed with sufficient and competent personnel.
Referral hospital
The Government must also construct, equip and staff a referral hospital in the headquarters of each region
Sixth, on education, the Government shall construct the following model learning institutions in every county annually: one mixed primary school, one girls and one boys secondary school.
The specifications for these model learning institutions shall be provided by the Education ministry.
{Kennedy Maranga, via e-mail}
