Marende made the wisest ruling ever

By Kipkirui K’Telwa

Having failed to secure audience with both President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga over the contentious chair of House Business Committee in Parliament, Speaker Kenneth Marende had little choice but to sit on that coveted ‘stool’ until both principals agree on only one occupant.

That was Solomonic ruling, which all Kenyans should embrace especially at this moment when any national decision has either ODM or PNU undertone. With Kibaki out in Tanzania and Raila lurking within the precincts of Parliament, Marende had little workable options. Or did you want him to rule that Raila is the bona fide leader of Government Business in the House, hence Chairman of the House Business Committee? Of course the more than 100 ODM affiliated MPs would have rejoiced the entire afternoon as the pro-Kibaki and PNU legislators grumbled and even disrupt any other activities in the House. I hope you do not want me to say he should have re-affirmed Kibaki’s letter nominating Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka leader of Government Business in the House. After all, ODM brigades say he only got 12 MPs to his side against Raila’s over 100. Haven’t you had someone say he is Kibaki’s nyapara? But what does that mean? Supervisor of some Government departments such as prisons?

Therefore, instead of wasting Parliament’s time —he was 30 minutes behind schedule — on which letter was more Constitution or National Accord friendly and thus throw the fragile country into flames, Marende borrowed from King Solomon and made a ruling that saved Baby Kenya. This reverberated all the way to Geneva where the midwife to the Accord Kofi Annan applauded it. Could you do better than Marende if you were on the same chair?