Kenya: In what could be ranked as a first in Kenyan politics under the new devolved system of governance, Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana has not only called for the dissolution of the county government he heads but has gone a step further and started a signature-collection exercise to trigger the suspension of the government.
Two weeks ago, there was drama in Wote, the county headquarters, when five people sustained gunshot wounds after Prof Kibwana staged a walk-in during a meeting that had allegedly been called to discuss his impeachment. No doubt there exists bad blood between the elected leaders of the county.
Characteristic of such differences, camps have emerged comprising Members of the County Assembly, MPs and the senator. Since the advent of devolution, governors have had to ward off assaults from MCAs whose conflict-resolution methods are restricted to blackmail. Apparently, dialogue is a concept alien to many MCAs. For a long time, Kibwana has been under siege from MCAs who want to impeach him.
The bone of contention is the spending of public funds and the passage of vital Bills in the county assembly, especially those to do with finances.
Both sides are accusing each other of acting in bad faith. Kibwana has done a self-appraisal and decided to fall on his sword. He believes the county assembly has engaged in acts that are inimical to the interests of the citizens of Makueni.
The signature drive will be followed by the filing of a petition. Elections will be within 90 days of the suspension, which will have to be ratified by a commission of inquiry. It takes courage for a politician to voluntarily subject himself to a by-election.
Very few leaders would claim the high moral high ground. Most Kenyan leaders eschew financial or even moral probity. So Kibwana could be treading where even angels fear to go. Such an undertaking is not only costly; the attendant uncertainty is not something many would want to endure.
The present leader celebrates self-promotion, is self-righteous and engages in self-preservation. Even when besieged, these leaders would vow never to resign. Not long ago, there was a jibe that African leaders don’t quit, they die in office. Kibwana, a former civic activist famous for the political reform crusade in the 1990s, is a trailblazer.
He admits that the differences between him and the MCAs are irreconcilable and have impacted negatively on the county’s development agenda. The governor’s move cannot be termed selfish in as much as he wants to subject himself to the people’s will afresh. He acknowledges that there is a leadership failure and the situation must be remedied.
This, however, has sent panic among the belligerent MCAs who are not sure of their chances of making a comeback in a by-election. The Senate, which at one time wanted the scrapping of Turkana County on account of insecurity, has been less than enthusiastic about dissolving Makueni County, arguing it is not necessary to dissolve it now.
In mature democracies, leaders have quit office over ideological differences because they understand they were elected to serve the electorate, not quarrel among themselves. Ministers of Transport dockets have in some countries quit when accidents occurred.
Had the Ebola outbreak that killed thousands happened in the West, ministers of Health would have quit voluntarily. During the Scottish referendum, the premier, David Cameron was prepared to throw in the towel had the Scots opted to break away. That is a mark of leadership.
And it is yet to happen this side of the globe. The President ought to apply Solomonic wisdom to save the people of Makueni the circus.
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