Like Martin Luther King, Jr. opined: "Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity."This aptly describes the disturbing findings by an International Fellowship Programme (IFP) survey showing that almost half of all Kenyans know very little about the new Constitution.
The saving statistic is that 95.5 per cent are at least aware that a supreme law exists. Results of the poll titled “Empowering Communities in the Implementation of the New Constitution” make for disturbing reading because in the new Constitution lies the chasis, bedrock and backbone on which almost every endeavour will grow.
The Constitution spells out everyone’s basic right, human rights, fundamental freedoms, constitutional offices, their mandate, powers and limitations. In this set of laws the boundaries of the Republic of Kenya are spelt out, and so is the will and resolve of the citizens to abide by all laws, so agreed to.
Every facet of life is represented in some or other fashion in the Constitution and ignorance of these laws is dangerous because the ramifications are too dear to imagine.
Tribal jingoists, vested interests, unscrupulous politicians and crooked traders must be elated with this state of affairs since in ignorance lies their greatest bread basket. This category of people love a clueless voter or business partner, whose ignorance they can manipulate.
Sadly, the cost of civic education to raise awareness is money and other resources that would have served another cause and would erode any gains realised since Promulgation Day.
Harsh indictment
Indeed, the projections in the Vision 2030 development programme as well as hopes and aspirations for devolved government are anchored on improved quality of life, better awareness of rights, and obligations by citizens, greater literacy, a healthier populace, sustainable development and achievable objectives.
That almost one in every five responding to the IFP survey, saying they more often than not rely on others’ reading and interpretation of the Constitution, is a harsh indictment of our literacy levels, apathy and one would be forgiven to conclude Kenya is a society of stunted intellectualism.
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