Had we known in 2010 the new Constitution would cause us so much pain and uncertainty, perhaps it could have been prudent to stick to the older one for, then, everybody knew their station in life.

The pecking order was never shrouded in mystery and the President could whip leaders and the rank and file into towing the line. Today, everybody is the boss and there always is a handy section of the Constitution to back such claims.

With the exception of county representatives who raised so much ruckus over their remuneration but did not know which sections of the Constitution to throw in our faces, all others are constitutional experts and quote sections and sub-sections that the next person negates with sections of his own from the same Constitution.

Where does that leave us, poor mortals, who only know the Constitution has to be followed to the letter?

We are seeing crime escalate as the Inspector General of Police trades punches with the chairman of the Police Service Commission over superiority and who should do what. That momentary lapse in concentration and alertness as they size up each other has seen criminals hold both citizens and security forces to ransom. While degree certificates are good, a commander of the police must be someone with hands-on experience in dealing with unpredictable and spontaneous situations. A non ‘degreed’ policeman who has received training and risen through the ranks over the years is a better proposition than a PhD holder who cannot differentiate between a muzzle and the butt of a gun.

An unfortunate observation by Mr Jakoyo Midiwo that the chair of the SRC got that position for considerations other than her competency simply shows how careless politicians can get with their tongues. MPs should stop hiding behind parliamentary immunity to malign Sarah Serem where she cannot defend herself.

It is pointless for MPs to get headlong into a fight they know they cannot win especially when we can call their bluff. MPs threatened to disband the SRC untill it dawned on them they were barking up the wrong tree. They felt vindicated when they subjectively quashed the SRC gazette notice on their salaries only to be deflated when the CIC threw its weight behind the SRC and together challenged anybody who thought the Constitution was a piece of paper to be used and discarded at will, to a date with the Chief Justice.

{Alexander Chagema, Kakamega}

Every day, we wake up to disappointing news about MPs pressing hard to sway SRC their way. While I agree it is within their right to ask for pay hike, my biggest concern is the way they chest thump in total disregard of the law. The new Constitution came with a raft of measures that allowed MPs to check the excesses of the executive and also ensure that the National Assembly does not bake their cake and eat it. The SRC has a sole mandate to determine remuneration of all state officers, MPs included. The move by legislators to vote overwhelmingly to quash SRC decision to slash their salaries is uncalled for.

                      {Victor Satya, Kitale}