New alliance spurs debate

Written By:George Kithuka,    Posted: Thu, Jan 27, 2011

Constitutional expert Yash pal Ghai

Attacks and counter-attacks against the alleged political alliance ahead of 2012 general elections by politicians William Ruto, Uhuru Kenyatta and Kalonzo Musyoka seen as the figures  behind the   KKK continues.

The mixed reactions come a day after Kalonzo petitioned the National Cohesion and Integration Commission to bar their opponents from using KKK as an identity tag terming it defamatory.

The VP on Wednesday, in a letter addressed to NCIC Chairman Dr. Mzalendo Kibunjia titled ‘Incessant Contravention of the NCI ACT', said the KKK tag promoted enthnicism and isolation contrary to the NCI Act, 2008.

"The KKK caricature that now dominates the media and some public pronouncements is designed to depict ethnic isolationism whereby the three communities are set against the rest of Kenya's ethnic groups," he added.

Kalonzo added that KKK threatens at once to foment and incite ethnic hatred among other communities

Meanwhile, constitutional expert Yash pal Ghai has cautioned the leaders behind the new political outfit against isolating the rest of Kenyans sentiments echoed by Imenti central MP Gitobu Imanyara.

But Molo MP Joseph Kiuna has supported the move saying leaders and in particular from Rift valley are on a mission to unite Kenya, and those criticizing the team's agenda are in for a rude shock.

Kiuna added that it was wrong for anyone to purport the meaning of any political movement based on it ethnic format saying that would only injure the yet to be healed wounds of the national unity and ought to be avoided at all cost.

KKK alliance appears to be drawing more condemnation than praise given the intensity of the debate that has its architects now worried that it could end up polarizing Kenyans instead of uniting them.

Elsewhere, Fisheries Minister Jeffa Amazon Kingi is warning politicians who are out to form political alliances based on tribes as being malicious and insincere for their political ambitions.

Speaking in Watamu Garsen Member of Parliament Danson Mungatana has also called on politicians to engage in development ideologies instead of aliening themselves on tribal alliances saying those spearheading the move has lost focus.

"This is a matter that has been in public discussion for some time now. Hate speech is using bad language, but what has been going on is debate on whether the tribe should be the driving force in the governance of this country," he said.

He added: "There is a very big distinction and those who started it must carry their crosses.  They must be prepared to bear the consequences of not getting votes for re-introducing tribal politics in Kenya."

Mr. Mungatana at the same time termed Attorney General Amos Wako's proposal to reduce the perks of Members of Parliament, Mr. Mungatana as a "Big Brother attitude.

He asked Mr. Wako to wait for the formation of a salaries commission in line with the new constitution, which he said would address the issues of salary discrepancies and rationalize them.

"The issues regarding remunerations in the entire public service will be handled by a constitutional commission that will be looking at all salaries in a bid to rationalize them and the issue of whether MPs salaries should be reduced should be left to the commission," he said.

Mr. Mungatana, who is a member of Parliament's Budget Committee, said those to be appointed to the salaries commission would be professionals and that whatever they recommend would be law even if it means reducing the salaries of some public servants.

"What I know is that when the rationalization takes place, highly paid public servants - including the MPs - should expect a reduction in their stipends because we have one cake which must be divided in a more rational way," he said.

He said since the new constitution will lead to the formation of many new offices, a reduction in remunerations for some highly paid public servants would be inevitable.

"Everything will be made clear before one vies for or is appointed to a certain position. Those who will feel comfortable will accept the positions, but those who will want to join the public service for money would rather go for business.