Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Naysayers must be shown the door

Following the passing of the Proposed Constitution, we should not forget that it is people pressure that achieved the ratification of the new law.

We must, therefore, remain vigilant, militant, steadfast and focused in the implementation of the new constitution because it is unlikely the existing political class will be in a hurry to bring about the intended radical changes.

During this transition period, we challenge Cabinet ministers who were hostile to the adoption of the new constitution to voluntarily resign from Government.

In addition, they should go the extra mile and refuse to take oath on the new constitution until and unless the alleged contentious issues that made the new constitution a ‘bad document’ are dealt with.

We demand this as a minimum since in the referendum campaigns, they told us in rallies and through Press statements and articles that they were strongly, genuinely and patriotically opposed to the new constitution because it was a dangerous document.

In the event that these ministers and assistant minister decide otherwise, they should tell the Kenyans who voted ‘No’ how they can take an oath and promise to uphold, respect and defend a document that they labeled evil.

Personal integrity

Aware that statesmanship, honesty and personal integrity is in short supply among our political elite, especially the individuals we are challenging to voluntarily resign, President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga must relieve them of their duties.

We should not lose sight of the fact that if Ruto et al had succeeded at the referendum, they would have quickly demanded the resignation of the two principals to pave way for fresh elections. Technically speaking, the ‘Yes’ win was a vote of no confidence in the leadership that led the ‘No’ campaign.

Let us remind the political class that the new constitution signals the end to the "error" of backroom negotiations and horse trading for political expediency. We are now in an era of conducting public affairs in a transparent manner.

Wananchi shall not entertain any backroom negotiations on the new constitution without following the new law to the letter. Sixty seven per cent of Kenyans did not pass the new law to amend it.

Promises to renegotiate clauses in the new constitution were simply acts of political expediency characteristic of the old order we have jettisoned.

{George Nyongesa, Bunge la Mwananchi}

I support calls by lobby groups for the sacking of Cabinet ministers who were opposed to the new constitution.

Kibaki and Raila should not leave anything to chance because those who were in the ‘No’ camp might be hurdles to the implementation of the new law.

Allowing them to remain in Cabinet and in positions of power gives them opportunity to derail a process that the majority of Kenyans gave the nod to after a 20-year journey.

The call to reopen negotiations is dampening the mood of many Kenyans who are all set for the transition and to enjoy the goodies that will come their way.

The naysayers have lost the battle and they should know that better than anybody else. The majority have had their way for the benefit of all.

{Peter Kaguthi, Nairobi}

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