Was Raila ‘offside’ when he ‘scored’?

The suspension of ministers William Ruto and Sam Ongeri over corruption scandals involving billions of shillings in the subsidised maize scheme and Free Primary Education was a ‘noble’ move whose execution went hopelessly wrongly.

In his announcement, Raila stated that the ‘Government’ had consented to his action. However, what is emerging is that this was not so after President Kibaki rescinded the PM’s directive.

Several questions now beg answers. First, which Government was Raila referring to? Or does he consider himself the Government?

Secondly, who did Raila consult if not the President?

Thirdly, Kenyans thought ours is a coalition Government bound by rules of consultations between the so-called principals. But it would appear Raila was in a hurry to score a point outside the spirit he is bound to by the coalition.

So, what is that point? Is it Raila’s attempt to deflect attention from the finger-pointing his office got from PricewaterhouseCooper’s forensic audit report, from which Kenyans are dying for answers and action?

Finally, as Raila was playing his ‘football’, where was his co-principal? In the changing room? Kenyans would be glad to know.

{Susan Jeptoo, Kuresoi}

The bold decision by Raila to suspend Prof Ongeri and Mr Ruto as a result of the maize and FPE scandals, and their reinstatement by President Kibaki, confirms that this crises-ridden coalition Government is slowly but systematically falling apart.

These are the initial signals that confirm the coalition is living on borrowed time, a fact that will raise political temperatures and scare away potential investors.

The live announcement on TV by the PM suspending the two ministers was a clever political manoeuvre that was not expected by anyone, even PNU.

repercussions

As a result, the repercussions were felt far and wide. This was a ‘political thunderbolt’ of the decade that could have registered a massive 9.0 on a political Richter scale and one that is bound to transform politics forever.

The debate as to whether Raila’s decision to suspend the duo was constitutional or not is irrelevant because it has been overtaken by events.

His decision must have stemmed from the thinking that it’s far much better to make a decision, however wrong it may turn out to be, than to not make one at all. Fighting corruption and impunity must now take a new, aggressive and bold turn.

Painful and unpopular political decision have to be made because time has come to bite the bullet and liberate Kenyans, who have been taken round in circles and treated to never-ending circuses and shenanigans since Independence.

Our politics will not be the same again. More important, there is no room for fence sitters: You are either on the side fighting corruption or in bed with the ‘political hyenas’ who have plundered the country’s resources mercilessly.

If Kenyans don’t stand up to be counted in the fight against scandals, we had better shut up forever and wait to be judged harshly by future generations for burying our heads in the sand and abetting impunity.

{Enock Onsando, Mombasa}