Is it time take to the streets?

NJOKI KARUOYA

The breakdown in talks between the President and the Prime Minister is nothing new. This has been happening in the past, and it will continue to happen till the President, or the Prime Minister if they come to a consensus, agree to set the election date next year.

And let’s face it; these two principals are really driven more by self-interest than by national good. For instance, recruitment for the most important jobs in the country was not done in the manner provided for in our new Constitution.

The nagging question, therefore, is, if our two principals could so arrogantly turn a blind eye to the provisions in the Supreme Law, which they are supposed to uphold, what hope is there for this emerging nation?

What are we expecting to change in the next 18 months? Nothing much, in my opinion, except for the two principals to continue politicking and cement their individual political agendas.

Bickering

If the bickering we saw last week in Parliament and in public forums where people passionately sided with the individual they consider their kingpin, then we have not matured much.

The political, emotional and ethnic temperatures raised during that one week of debating the President’s judicial appointments is a clear indication that we, as a nation, are still strongly divided along party and ethnic lines, and that is very sad.

It was also very clear that Kenyans are still hung up along the two party lines that assumed ethnic overtones from their time of birth.

If only we could have forceful parties whose strength are in ideals, you know, like the Liberal, Democratic, Republic, Labour or Christian parties found in the US and Europe, where you don’t have to guess what their principles are based upon.

In addition, Kenyans don’t accept the legitimacy of this government. Those who side with ODM still feel they were cheated of leadership, while those who side with PNU feel they are entitled to all power because they were declared winners by the defunct Electoral Commission of Kenya. Go to any social or public forum and start this argument, and watch how heated it gets in less than five minutes.

Whenever the President releases a statement claiming he consulted the Prime Minister before releasing it, there is anxiety that is only calmed when Raila Odinga acknowledges it, and vice versa.

Until then, the country is on tenterhooks, dreadful of the outcome, constantly in fear of the country erupting into chaos and violence. And every time this happens, investors, both local and foreign, start pulling out by dumping their shares, hesitating to commit capital on investments and so forth, in readiness for flight should the country erupt.

No way to live

Is this any way to live, constantly on the edge of two individuals and their manic followers? This is why I have been wondering whether it is time for Kenyans to go to the streets and demand real change, like their African brothers and sisters in Tunisia and Algeria. The Constitution certainly gives us that right.

Demanding for a change in government now so we can fully embrace the constitutional provisions might just be the right thing to do. Waiting for next year’s elections will not change much, especially in relation to cooling political and ethnic tempers.

What is happening today will most definitely still take place mid next year, and at higher tempos when candidates begin campaigning, especially for the presidential slots, which is the most heated battle.

Unseating this government today could very well do us more good than harm, considering the politicians will be caught off-guard and will thus intensify their efforts towards selling their development agendas rather than whipping up ethnic passions.

In addition, there are too many seats to fight for so hunger for political victory will so consume our leaders that they will concentrate their efforts in the counties — and give the whole country a break from their petty shenanigans.