The People Saturday
Date: 29.08.2015
Page 12
Article size: 198 cm2
ColumnCM: 44.0
AVE: 0.0
ON TARGET
Shitemi Khamadi
Reflect on Constitution's gains, weaknesses
Experts often refer to the
Constitution to drive a point
home though the same
document's provisions have
various interpretations.
However, what is not in
dispute is the document's spirit
to defend each individual,
County governments are accused
of squandering public resources
if a report released recently by the Auditor
General is anything to go by
community and country's
interests.
It is each individual's duty
to uphold and protect the
Constitution from unnecessary
mutilation. On the other hand,
political leaders seem to behave
like the animals in George
Orwell's Animal Farm. They
enforce the statement 'some
animals are more equal than
others' by breaking the rules
and regulations with impunity.
Some have got away with the
vice as others have landed in
court.
Citizens are equally to blame
for tearing apart the document
by not participating in public
issues at County or National
governments level.
Maybe they do not believe
their contribution will be
never had a tarmac road since
considered and eventually bring
independence is building the
change. Despite the constant
wrangles between the two
levels of governments over
first tarmac road and that offers
administration and resource
sharing, the Constitution has
brought laudable gains in
counties.
Maybe the inability of
county communication
teams to highlight the gains
creates the misconception that
county governments are only
squandering public resources
as seen in the latest reports from
the Auditor General.
But infrastructure, though
still in sorry state has been
developed in far flung regions.
For instance, Wajir county that
great business potential for
locals and non locals. Moving
goods and services in and out of
the area will be faster thus spur
development.
An independent Judiciary is
an aspect to be proud of. It has
asserted its authority and irked
individuals who love shady
deals, among them politicians
who have even attempted to
curtail its work by reducing its
budget and powers.
Independent offices are
flexing muscles though selfish
legislatures continue to control
their budget, to sabotage their
mandate. Looking ahead,
citizens need to agitate for their
rights. The current voices, largely
online, can be strengthened if
the same activists demanded
for their rights through protests
when legal channels fail.
However, I congratulate social
media campaigns that have led
to the arrest and prosecution of
some high­flying people who
thought they could get away with
wrong­doing. The same avenue
has helped expose exploiters of
the poor.
Political leaders should realise
that citizens are looking and
will not hesitate to throw them
out of leadership through the
same Constitution. As Kenyans
reflect on this momentous
achievement, they should count
the gains, reflect on the misses
and work towards bridging the
gap.
It took more than two decades,
with human suffering and
even death to get a new law, the
sacrifice should not be in vain.
The writer is a political blogger
Twitter @oleshitemi
Ipsos Kenya ­ Acorn House,97 James Gichuru Road ­ Lavington ­ Nairobi ­ Kenya