The Way Forward out of Politic
written by Kobangoshe , January 05, 2008

First and foremost, there must be realization that there is a government in office in Kenya. I would not rish to say this is illegitimate, until a court of law so determines. Commonly shared perceptions can not be assumed to be the truth. Counterfactually, there is also a broad based shared wisdom that President Kibaki was declared winner of the lection by ECK Chairman publically, and sworn in office thereafter as provided for in law. There is no law that requires such a ceremony be preceeded by National Anthem nor a military parade. People, including my learned friends must differentiate between a simple swearing in ceremony and a grand fun fair inauguration where both swaering in and other stuff could be combined.

For now, the only way to have a repeat of elections or recount of votes, etc is by petitioning the High Court to order so. The opposition leader, private citizen, LSK, and any other party with locus standi can move to court and file a petition. Street protests seeking a revolution, will not do, and certainly not in Kenya where even Raila Odinga does not command more than 45% support in the country. Dialog must be seen to take place between the parties involved, and they will then seek out a practical way forward.

Formation of a government of national unity is one way forward. Formation of an interim government demand that the government in office is first nulified, but only the court can do this. Raila should first realize it is important he he is seen to espect the rule of law. Otherwise when he happens to assume the presidency, it is doubtful if he will respect the rule of law either. That is a very worrisome observation.

Bwana KO
written by Kamau Ochieng , January 05, 2008

Did the ECK Chairman not understand his JOB TITLE. IF he was forced to elect the loser why did he wait till there was violence to speak out. The Chairman has the power to delay and recount the votes. Thats the reason the ECK IS A different organization from the Government, its Quite obvious the CHAIRMAN did not fully understand his role.

The Chairman is Quoted as saying he did not know whether Kibaki won the elections. Well MORON you should have recounted the ballots while you still had them in your possession. The ballots were his PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY. In a country where rigging is prominent MR . Chairman should have double checked and ensured that there were measures in place just in case there was a natural disaster, theft or a fire. Before there is another ELECTION, OUR ELECTORAL COMMISSION NEEDS TO BE REVAMPED. Obviously MOI, Kibaki and Yes His Honor Raila have all used ILLEGAL measures to hike there votes.

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written by aeichener , January 06, 2008

This old (and new) government has never understood, in its entire 5 years, the importance of symbolic acts. One of the reasons for its failure. They don't even get it now :-(.

And yet it would be so simple; visits of the president to the stricken area, dismissal of Michuki and appointment of a new minister of internal security (a non-Kikuyu and possible a woman), reaching out to the new ODM MPs and formation of an interim "cabinet of unity"...
but indeed, both lidaahs behave like sulking children after fighting before their burning doll house.

Alexander