The vote by parliament to tame party hopping after nominations was one of those rear moments that the collective conscience of our political class proves that indeed there is hope for our country to consistently make bold steps towards a hygienic free and fair political dispensation. Democracy can only thrive if the political playing field has fair-play laws, rules and regulations. As captured in the preamble of our constitution; “recognizing the aspirations of all Kenyans for a government based on the essential values of human rights, equality, freedom, democracy, social justice and the rule of law”, it is prudent to reinforce our electoral process because it is the conveyer belt through which as a people we delegate our sovereignty to representatives and the executive both at the county and national level.
One of the qualities of a good leader is being able to stand for certain values and principles and being guided by a strong character and conviction before seeking to lead others. A leader who jumps from one party to the next right after losing nominations would continue with the same inconsistency and lack of ideological standpoint even if elected. This has contributed to the low quality of debate and lack of people-centered representation. It is the same reason why corruption flourishes at the detriment of development and the moral fabric of our beloved nation.
However, parties now have a higher responsibility of ensuring that the candidate they present to IEBC is the duly nominated candidate through a free, fair and transparent process that gives all candidates an equal chance. It should be the will of the people that determines all party candidates. While it is human for a party leader or party senior officials to have a liking for certain candidates, that should remain privately personal and not used to exterminate the will of the people on the ground. The ultimate noble desire of any party leader who treasures our democracy and has a true passion for the people should be to work with leaders that the people on the ground want not those he/she selects. Only the wearer knows where the shoe pinches. That is the true essence of democracy. That is one of the ways we ensure quality leadership in the county assemblies, the county executives, the parliament and the national executive.
For us to reap maximum benefits of a stable electoral process from nominations to elections, we must ensure that our parties are no longer dirty hideouts for nonperforming and corrupt leaders whose only greedy desire is to retain power for self-accumulation through buying nominations of the most popular party in every election. As such, all parties must be treated equally under the law including independent candidates that our new progressive constitution allows to contest based on their convictions. The winning candidates in such a democratic electoral process would be the true will of the people and therefore regardless of their party or ideological affiliation they would work in harmony to serve Kenyans with excellence for it is only to them they owe their primary fidelity.
I commend the select committee for producing the best possible mediated electoral reforms and parliament for respecting and endorsing the work of their colleagues. It is now the singular honor of President Uhuru Kenyatta to finish off and usher in the implementation phase. Indeed a stable political environment is the heart of our democracy and the only sure way of safeguarding the future of our country, handing over to our future generation a stronger more united Kenya.
Dan Mahiri is a Management and Leadership Consultant
(Dan Mahiri contested the Naivasha Parliamentary Seat as an Independent Candidate in the 2013 General election and intends to give his fellow Naivashans another chance to elect him in 2017)
Contact: danmahiri@hotmail.com
