Free lessons for ODM on how to run opposition Posted by: The People in Opinion January 28, 2014 A strong and viable opposition is key to a thriving democracy. In Kenya, ODM is the biggest political party and part of the Official Opposition. However, going by the party handling of previous internal elections, ODM is an opposition out of touch with its role. Perhaps, the biggest undoing for ODM is mismanagement and the fact that it was formed to take over government. No wonder whenever it fails to win an election, it goes into disarray. ODM, like many other parties in Kenya, is run with little respect for basic tenets of democracy. It lacks clear organisational structure and doesn’t respect freedom of political participation by members. However, I hereby offer a few free lessons the party can pick on roles of an opposition in a democratic society and which it should actualise to position itself for 2017 General Election. An opposition should set up a shadow Cabinet team representing all relevant government departments. The Cabinet critiques government policies and comes up with what it considers better option for the society. If an opposition performs this role satisfactorily, it stands a better chance of convincing voters it can perform better given a chance to rule. It should study, research and offer alternatives to problems confronting the nation. On this ODM and Cord performs poorly. Added to this role, an opposition should run its internal political affairs in a democratic and conventional manner. It should ensure transparency and accountability. It should serve as a model in party organisation based on tenets of democracy. Imposition of candidates should never be tolerated. This, again, would go a long way in convincing the electorate in subsequent elections. Although political analysts claim a party has to be popular to rig and win an election, that is not always the case in major democracies. An active opposition can help the populace in vigilance to minimise cases of election rigging by creating citizen-driven watchdogs and civic education on electoral processes and the role of citizens in the processes. The opposition should go the extra mile in fashioning out and extracting traceable evidence that would thwart and nullify election falsely declared by the electoral commission in a court of law. Some of the illegal electoral practices in our democratic setting would be greatly reduced if we had a viable and well run opposition. Perhaps, there would be no cases of godfatherism, patronage, imposition of leaders, corruption in the party systems, nepotism, favouritism, non-ideologically inclined politics and party indiscipline if past oppositions in Kenya understood and executed their mandate faithfully. Finally, whatever an opposition does, whether political or otherwise, it should be anchored on the interests of the public rather than outdoing the ruling party. It should be based on honesty and the call for service. My beloved ODM party can redeem its image on democracy on how it conducts next month’s internal elections. Kenyans are watching! - By Reuben Ndolo The writer is former Makadara MP and ODM deputy Organising Secretary Share 0 0 0
Posted on: Tue, 28 Jan 2014 10:15:08 +0000
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