The life and experiences of a former senator

By Titus TooAs the nation clamours for a new constitution that will restore the senate, a former senator says he doubts if the current leaders can make this system of governance work. Gerald Nathaniel Kalya, who represented Nandi District after independence, says during his time leaders were not driven by greed and selfishness as portrayed by politicians today."After independence, leaders were united and focused on progress. Those in leadership positions wanted to leave a mark and ensure the country developed," says Kalya during an interview with The Standard On Saturday at his home in Nandi.By then, there were only two strong parties Kanu and Kadu.Kalya, 80, represented Nandi District under Kadu, a strong opposition party then.Kalya was elected unopposed in 1963 after Kadu’s nominee Kimutai Samoei declined the position. Former senator Gerald Nathaniel Kalya in his house in Mosoriot, Nandi North District. Photos: Kevin Tunoi/Standard"I left my teaching job at St Josephs’ Kitale where I was training teachers and started a new career as a politician. Unlike today, Kenyans were united and every one wanted to prove to the world that they could manage their own country after kicking out colonial masters," says Kalya.He says that the country had 41 districts that were also classified as regions and an equal number of senators."Out of the 41 senators, 22 were in Kanu while 19 were in Kadu, the opposition wing of the then coalition government," he says.He adds that although the opposition existed after independence, issues discussed were centred on development and not necessarily political fights, as is the case today."Back then, there was no hatred or tribalism since all leaders focused on moving the country forward towards prosperity," says Kalya.The election of senators then, Kalya adds, is not different from the clause in the Proposed Constitution where citizens are to pick their preferred candidates for the districts or regions."Our role in the senate was solely to make laws. Also in place were members of National Assembly who were in the lower house. They could propose laws and pass them to the senate that could decide whether to pass or reject them," says Kalya.From his home in Mosoriot, Nandi North District, Kalya watches political developments with pity."Our approach to leadership was more sober then. Today, leaders are more interested in making money and developing themselves as individuals rather than the country," says Kalya.He remembers that during his time, senators spread development evenly."But today, even with the many constituencies and the resources you have, you have failed to achieve what we envisioned," says Kalya. He adds that although creation of devolved units is a good idea, leaders have made them expensive due to their high salaries.. Back the, he recalls, the constitution allowed one to become a senator and a member of the National Assembly."At one time, Seroney served as an MP for Tinderet and also senator for Mosop," says Kalya.He also recalls that during his tenure as a senator between 1963 and 1964, the late Paul Ngei, the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, President Kibaki, and former President Moi were ministers.Kibaki is the only leader who is still in the system to date, notes Kalya.Responsible leadersHe says civic bodies also used to have one representative from each constituency who was also elected from the wider regions like Sirikwa County Council in the North Rift.Kalya regrets the subsequent systems of hiring public servants after independence."It has changed a lot. After independence, it was uniform but tribalism crept in and that is why you hear talk of it is our turn to eat. This is unfortunate," he says.Kalya says leaders and citizens need to be patriotic to bring change and eliminate corruption and other anti-social vices.To those hoping to be senators if the Proposed Constitution passes at the referendum, Kalya has a strong message: "You need to be responsible and a leader who can transform the nation for the better."Kalya moved to Kanu after Kadu was dissolved and Kenya became a single party state.He was subsequently made deputy leader of government business under Joseph Mathenge, then a senator for Nyeri and also became Member of Parliament for Mosop constituency in Nandi, joining the then fiery and first Tinderet MP Jean Marie Seroney.Kalya was also named an Assistant Minister for Co-operatives and Social Services between 1965 and 1969. He served under Ronald Ngala. Kalya’s star continued rising. He was named a deputy minister for East Africa Community for two and a half years, from 1970. The federation then comprised Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.Political setbackHe later served as assistant minister for Agriculture under Jeremiah Nyaga. But serving the federation was a setback to his political grip of Mosop. In 1974 General Election, the late Robert Tanui defeated him in Mosop.A year later, the then Tinderet MP Seroney was detained and local leaders asked Kalya to contest the seat. He won Tinderet by-election in 1976 after beating John Cheruiyot. He served until 1979 when he quit politics. ODM chairman Henry Kosgey succeeded him in Tinderet.Despite a cancer attack in his right leg that saw him on and off school, Kalya was among pioneer members of the Nandi community to receive education.Kalya is married to Emily Kalya. They have a son and three daughters, with homes in Kitale and Nandi. He engages in dairy farming and church activities.

The life and experiences of a former senator

Get Full Access for Ksh299/Week.

Stand With Bold Journalism.
Stand With The Standard.

Related Topics

Popular this week

Latest Stories

The Standard Insider

Digger Classified

GET OUR NEWSLETTER

CONNECT WITH US

FOR THE LATEST JOB ADVERTS

DIGGER JOBS

Digger Motors

Digger Real Estate

The life and experiences of a former senator

Get Full Access for Ksh299/Week.

Stand With Bold Journalism. Stand With The Standard.

Related Topics

Trending Now

Popular this week

Latest Stories

The Standard Insider

Digger Classified

GET OUR NEWSLETTER

CONNECT WITH US

FOR THE LATEST JOB ADVERTS

Stand With Bold Journalism.
Stand With The Standard.