The coalition has failed to deliver

The coalition has failed to deliver

WEDNESDAY, 01 AUGUST 2012 17:10 BY SAMUEL N. OMWENGA

In the days following the elections of 2007, few thought we could avoid a full-blown civil war. There was a collective sight of relief when the National Accord and Reconciliation Act was signed on February 8,2008 establishing the coalition government. Kenyans eagerly looked forward to the principals— President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga—working together to effect the ideals envisioned in the coalition agreement itself.

Now that the Court of Appeals has upheld the March 2013 election date it’s a good time to take stock of what the coalition has or has not accomplished. One significant accomplishment the coalition is the promulgation of a new constitution for Kenya in 2010. Other than this, one would have to use a magnifying glass to find other significant achievements of the coalition.

The coalition has failed to live up to the purpose and aims set out in its preamble which states that the “crisis triggered by the 2007 disputed presidential elections has brought to the surface deep-seated and long-standing divisions within Kenyan society” and adds that “if left unaddressed, these divisions threaten the very existence of Kenya as a unified country.”

These divisions remain intact and have even gotten worse. To be sure, the constitution forces the hand of those who believe in tribalism and regionalism by its high threshold for qualification for one to be sworn as president, namely, garnering 50+1 of the vote in addition to being the victor in a majority of the 47 counties, among other requirements.

Because of this requirement, we have seen breathless efforts by individuals to try and go around this requirement by grouping themselves into tribal alliances, which is tragic for it is precisely this kind of mindset we must get away from if are not to be on the 2008 precipice. The preamble also says that there must be “real power-sharing” between the coalition partners in order “to move the country forward and begin the healing and reconciliation process.”

There has neither been real power sharing nor any efforts to start real healing and reconciliation in the country. From the day the coalition was signed to this day, Kibaki and his side have hogged the most crucial positions of power. Its a testament to Raila’s abilities that he has managed to cling to some power with which he has done more than expected under the circumstances.

President Kibaki and PM Raila committed in the preamble to NARA “to work together in good faith as true partners, through constant consultation and willingness to compromise.” Although Raila has forced Kibaki to consult on a number of critical areas Kibaki did not want or was unwilling to consult as can be seen in the debacle surrounding the appointment of the Chief Justice, county commissioners and even in constituting the Police Commission.

The preamble provides that NARA was to “enable Kenya’s political leaders to look beyond partisan considerations with a view to promoting the greater interests of the nation as a whole.” Kenya has never been more partisan and the few interests promoted by the NARA are mere tokenism. Finally but not least, the preamble to NARA provides that the agreement “provides the means to implement a coherent and far-reaching reform agenda, to address the fundamental root causes of recurrent conflict, and to create a better, more secure, more prosperous Kenya for all.”

Had President Kibaki and PM Raila kept to the letter and spirit of the National Accord, the coalition government would have accomplished what successive governments since independence had failed to do—set Kenya finally and firmly on the road to prosperity, peace and justice for all. This still remains an elusive dream and one only hopes the next government will make this a reality.

Chief Executive Officer of LLP Enterprise, LLC, a Virginia based firm that provides IT, trade, finance and investment services for businesses and individuals interested in, or doing business in Africa and Southeast Asia.