To begin with, let us underscore that in the recent post polls crisis, it is the ordinary Kenyans who bore the huge brunt since no political elite fought anywhere.
It was the ordinary Kenyans, in the rural areas and in the slums, who took the bullet to protect the ballot; and who are still freezing cold and starving in the numerous IDP camps. Further, it is our children who are still traumatised; it is our farms, kiosks, churches, shelters, belongings and dreams that went up in flames. Secondly, even if the post polls crisis was instigated by incitement and only then sustained by socio-economic issues such as poverty, it is the ordinary Kenyans who understand and live this desperate lack and vulnerability to provocation. They must be involved beyond playing the role of the gallery for the politicians in the search for a way forward. It is a fact that peace is a very personal thing; no grand coalition of politicians can yield peace instantaneously, as no one can impart peace on another. It is in this regard that we, at Bunge La Mwananchi, demand that a Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission with active powers be set up in the first one month of PNU-ODM government so as to allow Kenyans to speak about historical and present injustices as they see and feel them. It is only this that the very personal healing and reconciliation processes may begin for these millions of Kenyans.
| The pecking order
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The recent signing of the ‘power pact’ between the two main protagonists has served well to cool down tempers. However, we at Bunge La Mwananchi want to send a clear message to President Kibaki and Hon. Raila not to forget that equitable distribution of resources, reduction of the gap between the rich and the poor, addressing the land question, eliminating high unemployment and poverty, remain ordinary Kenyans priority concerns. It is these that push him to risk the bullet in post-polls demonstrations. Just as they promised us in their campaign manifestos, Kenyans are watching them to see the fulfilment of these promises that Kenyans voted for and fought valiantly for.
Further, just as Raila and Kibaki acknowledged in their addresses to the nation on 28th February, 2008, the peace accord and the consequent grand coalition is and should remain just the proverbial first step in the beginning of a journey. We, at Bunge La Mwananchi are keen on the second step which should come quickly in the form of speedy comprehensive constitutional reforms, land reforms, a Marshall Plan for reconstruction of the destroyed infrastructure, real strategic plans for dealing with poverty and practical objectives that will reduce unemployment and dependence.
The rider to the political deal struck between Raila and Kibaki is that the deal must not include a bloated government. Kenyans are eager to see a lean cabinet comprising not more than 21 ministers and an equal number of assistant ministers. The deal must not be a generosity-plan for rewarding their cronies and plundering our already stretched public coffers.
What happens to our multiparty democracy?
On the ongoing consummation of a grand coalition government between President Kibaki and Hon. Raila, we at Bunge La Mwananchi note the persistence of two questions: What happens to our hard earned multiparty democracy? Who will speak for the people of Kenya and how do we hold the grand-coalition accountable?
It is in this light that we, the people of Kenya, under the umbrella of Bunge La Mwananchi want to pledge that:
This is the time for the voter, who is also the taxpayer and by extension the employer of all our civic leaders and members of parliament, to set the agenda for our leaders and hold them accountable to their acts whether of commission or of omission in governance. The mwananchi must organize into a formidable Opposition movement. Thus, Bunge La Mwananchi an open membership forum with countrywide networks whose mission is “…Kenyans setting the agenda for our leaders” has taken over the challenge of providing opposition leadership. Bunge La Mwananchi is a people institution that gives the common man a platform to meet and exchange views on issues affecting their lives. Seeing the vacuum in our constitution and for purpose of protecting our democratic gains, Bunge La Mwananchi will henceforth assume the position of the Official Opposition. At Bunge La Mwananchi, our memories are fresh with promises and counter-promises that were made by President Kibaki and Hon. Raila during the elections campaign; we were there during the launch of their vision for Kenyans, we are also in possession of their political party manifestos, therefore, with the formation of the grand government, we the people of Kenya demand equally grand solutions and especially the provision of the basics; food and shelter for all.
We want to warn that Kenyans are not going to allow President Kibaki and Hon Raila to enjoy power if the people of Kenya will not get a better constitution in the pledged number of days, if the land problem will not be addressed speedily, if the jobless young people who are willing to work will not have jobs, if the Kenyans referred to as hawkers are still being run over by ‘red berrets’ because they cannot afford market ticket to sell their merchandise at Muthurwa, if the disabled persons’ fund still remains a political research paper, and if the people of Kenya will not have the pledged free and quality Secondary education among others.
Lastly, we are giving President Kibaki and Prime Minister designate Hon. Raila, 30 days to come back to the people of Kenya and tell us what the marriage of their manifestos has brought forth.
The same “people power” that made it difficult for President Kibaki and his lieutenants to conduct ‘business as usual’ remains our alternative method to express our frustrations and hopelessness. We remain committed that “Justice be our shield and defender' and hope fervently that we 'may dwell in unity, peace and liberty' with 'plenty to be found within our borders”. George Nyongesa is the leader of Bunge la Wananchi. This article was a written collaboration of the Bunge leadership.
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There were other candidates with as good political programmes but Kenyans heard none of it. They said, "Hatutaki madoadoa", so they got what they deserved and your Bunge la Wananchi lacks the mandate to call itself so.
Having said all that, I think it is important that the civil society watches over the activities of government especially now when there is no official opposition. Your efforts are appreciated. Pressure has to be kept of these people and more importantly civil education so that people can see the dangers of negative ethnicity and the importance of character in politics.
I hope that you accept my positive critism for what it is.