Public should not fund political parties

Financing political parties is a move in the wrong direction. It is preposterous and I am sure it happens nowhere in the world.

I do not see why even one shilling of my hard-earned, overtaxed salary should go to a party whose ideals and principles I totally disagree with.

Come to think of it, most of our parties seem to have no ideals or principles. As far as I am aware, most of them have no stated manifestos.

Yes, they all promise to fight 'ignorance, poverty and disease', as they have since independence, but they go no further.

In England, one may be a conservative, traditionally one of the so-called upper classes, or a socialist, traditionally a worker. Several other parties have attained prominence lately, for instance the 'Greens', but they all have their ideals.

To join, one has to pay a subscription fee to be accepted as a member. Parties have 'fund raisers', and generous sympathisers may contribute to the cause.

In most Western countries, even the US, the same principle applies. But not Government funding. Here in Kenya, most parties are based on tribes or personalities. We have lived with this since independence, in spite of exhortations that we should live as 'one Nation'.

Every day, we read about conflicts between parties. This takes up more time, and gives journalists more to write about, than the important matters in our lives. Why do we bother with political parties that have no ethics or principles? Do we need political parties?

In a general election, why don't we just encourage local wise and respected men or women to stand, to represent their people?

Voters will naturally choose the most suitable. They could still debate any topic in Parliament and, hopefully, arrive at the best and wisest decision