House has failed in implementing law

House has failed in implementing law

It is sad to watch the absurd political duels amongst MPs.

These scenes tell the world Kenya is not a land of peace and order.

Kenyans have become so ethnically biased that they have allowed themselves to be recruited in political bandwagons. Legislators have turned the House into a battlefield instead of implementing the Constitution.

The battles on The Hague six, deferral of ICC cases, recent judicial appointments and creation of a local tribunal are of no importance to our economy.

It is not rocket science to know ICC trials will help bring sanity in the 2012 campaigns. No one will dare point a weapon to another or order mass atrocities.

Common sense though underrated gift by many is a very precious. The political elite must use common sense to revolutionise their thinking and reasoning toward all concerns for a common goal affecting Kenya and its citizenry save for empty rhetoric that only destroys society.

EDWIN O. WACHIE

Awasi,

It is unfortunate that Kenyans are seeing embarrassing debates in Parliament. Over the past few weeks, the country has witnessed a high level of insincerity, indecisiveness and party wrangles.

It is absurd that our leaders cannot even agree on simple issues such as the correct meaning of the word "consultation".

The Ocampo cases have been politicised to the extent one would be forgiven to think Luis Moreno-Ocampo is running for political office in Kenya.

The parliamentary committees on Justice and Constitutional Affairs and Finance failed to present their reports on time regarding the constitutionality of the nomination of the AG, CJ, DPP and Controller of Budget.

They appear quite insensitive to the wishes of Kenyans to have a new Chief Justice by February 27 to effect the much-needed reforms. MPs seem to suffer from misplaced loyalties forgetting patriotism is a virtue.

These side-shows are likely to hamper the implementation of the new Constitution. Let politicians focus on implementation of the new Constitution.

Shadrack Mbaka,

Nairobi

I am not happy with the way the parliamentary committees performed their responsibilities in deciding the fate of the nominees to the constitutional offices.

Let them remember Kenyans are not asleep and we will not vote for them in senate and governorship in 2012. We need MPs who act with sobriety and who are enlightened. We do not want people who behave like sheep following a leader blindly.

Willy Davids,

Nakuru

　

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Raila’s doomsday prophesy unjustified

Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s sentiments during commemoration of the infamous Wagalla massacre are unjustified, unpatriotic and doomed. He reiterated with emotion that if the Ocampo Six were not apprehended and prosecuted at The Hague, our country will fall into the abyss of post-election skirmishes come 2012.

He has forgotten so quickly that he is the prime beneficiary of the Coalition Government after the violence. He called for countrywide mass protests further sparking violence in the country in December 2007 and January 2008.

In Wajir, he was supposed to condole the bereaved instead of politicking. He should have spoken about bringing to book the brutal perpetrators of the cruel massacre. The PM should put more effort in peace building, healing and reconciliation.

Ronald Komen via Email.

What Prime Minister Raila Odinga said about violence in 2012 if the suspects of the post-election violence are not prosecuted is not new. Kenya was envied by most African nations as the most peaceful a few years ago. It seems democracy cannot work here with 42 tribes arguing. We have a diversity of opinion and preferences.

Internally displaced people who are still in camps are bitter for what seemed to be politics turned out to be a deep sore in their lives.

Kenya would be a bit safe with preventive measures before its too late. The main problem in our politics is that normal misunderstanding is translated to tribal enmity. Let us see justice being done because ‘justice delayed is justice denied’.

Politicians are full of pretence and hypocrisy. They spread propaganda, which citizens pick and pass through by word of mouth.

This is how violence begins and within no time, the ‘small’ fire becomes a blaze that requires international intervention to extinguish. Lets embrace peace, war is too expensive and we cannot afford it.

Enough blood was spilled by our great warriors during the struggle for independence.

Purity Kathure, KIKUYU

Allegations by a section legislators that the speech delivered by Prime Minister Raila Odinga in North Eastern Province on the post-election violence suspects is unjustified and lacks evidence.

The Premier’s message was quite clear that if justice is not achieved there will be chaos come 2012 general elections.

The MPs think Raila threatens their political future. The PM has been on the spot for his strong stand on government issues. The MPs are divided on ethnic backgrounds.

Bosire Wyclife, Kisii

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Save commuters from exploitation

I wish to bring to light the suffering of many people in Nairobi as they commute to and from work. In many routes in city, matatu crew routinely exploit commuters.

For instance, Route 44 matatus plying Zimmerman, Githurai and Kahawa West charge Sh100 from town to the estate or vice versa.

They attribute the rise in fares to traffic jam along Thika Road, which is under construction.

But it takes less than an hour to reach town from Zimmerman in the morning while it took longer three years ago before repairs to the road started. It seems all operators in the city have silently ganged up to exploit people.

Government should intervene and come up with binding policies to streamline the transport industry. If this trend is allowed to continue, we shall have an economy that only supports matatu owners and cartels.

Despite the many advantages of a free market, Government should regulate the sector for the benefit of citizens and investors.

Levy Tolbert Otieno, Nairobi

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Make Voi campus autonomous

Since the inception of Voi Campus of the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, little growth has been realised both in the institution and the community around contrary to the spelled out goals and objectives.

Currently, key management decisions like finances are made at the main campus in Juja, therefore, denying the administration powers which, could benefit the local community in terms of procurement and supplies, employment and student admission. Various infrastructural challenges have been experienced like water supply and land for expansion. While unemployment is very high in the county, most vacancies are filled by individuals recruited from Nairobi except for the casual labourers. This does not augur well for the community.

Voi campus should be given full autonomy to enable its management make key decisions which can benefit the community and attract effective development support from key players in the county.

Mohammed Washala Abdi, via Email.

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Let us unite for peace

Hatred is rearing its ugly head again in national matters. We should be united irrespective of political affiliations particularly at the grassroots. I am from Nyanza working for a gentleman from Central Province. We are intertwined and the only option is to accept one another. Let us keep peace for development.

Japheth Kodanga Koremo

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Feedback

Kibaki, Muthaura and security chiefs meet envoys over ICC deferral bid

How can a suspect play an active public role in the appointment of Chief Justice, AG, DPP as well brief ambassadors on the need for deferral. Surely, it is being made to look like the process is tailored to suit some suspect like Francis Muthaura’s interest. Maybe I am missing something.

Jarateng

Kibaki is wooing Rift Valley MPs. If I were Raila, I would replace all branch officials in Rift Valley and other unfriendly territories. The different branch officials have now been compromised and they are using branch offices and ODM money to campaign for William Ruto.

Neramoi

Kenya wants to convince the UN Security Council that the ICC case may destabilise Kenya, a scenario that would have a negative impact on the whole region. Might this be proof that the Ocampo Six are indeed the right suspects — and prosecuting them at the ICC would "destabilise Kenya" just as happened following last elections? How would local tribunal change this "destabilisation".

Baruck Opiyo

I believe the main concern to the envoys should not be whether the other half of the coalition was present in their meeting or not. They ought to have pointed out to the President that he needs to carry out judicial appointments as per Constitution in order to convince the ICC.

Paul Opiyo

Slaughter thousands of helpless and innocent people and there will be peace? Try prosecuting the few powerful suspects for the violence and there wont be peace? Lets go ICC way!

Frederick Wabwaya

Arguments the GoK is giving for deferral are invalid. Average Kenyans learnt that big fish use them to fight wars that don’t help them. Let us face instability now and grow out of it a free people.

Frederick Wabwaya

It might surely be a futile attempt and I hope the President is not preparing for war by insinuating the Ocampo Six trial at the Hague is opposed by many Kenyans contrary to opinion polls.

Benard Bonyo