KENYA NEEDS STRUCTURAL DIALOGUES NOT POLITICAL DIALOGUES The President Mr. Uhuru Kenyatta has welcome dialogue that his government had plans to hold before it was turned to a political debate we are witnessing currently. Dialogue is simply a conversation between two or more people it is different from “talk”. It is structured with clear issues to be discussed. The opposition has called for a National dialogue buy issuing threats to the government that it must happen before 7/7 commonly known as Saba Saba in Kenya’s history not telling us who to call it and where to have it. The president has welcomed the move by the opposition to dialogue without conditions. Putting conditions in a dialogue speaks a lot than the eye meets the ball. It looks like the government of the day has no authority over his people that democratically elected it. The president is cognizant about this a live fact that it was democratically elected therefore legitimate. It should not succumb to the demands of the opposition that has failed to play its role. Any opposition anywhere in the world have sole responsibility to question the government of the day and hold them accountable to the public, it also represents an alternative government and also responsible for developing the policies where appropriate. The opposition can put the spotlight on serious issues and have them resolved quickly. This has not been the case of our opposition in Kenya instead of the above mentioned, they are busy hurling abuses at the head of state and not attending house session therefore no through scrutiny to the bills passed before the house. Again it is not only about opposing the Government there are occasions when the opposition agrees with the government. If the solution proposed by the government has wide support and is soundly based then it’s only natural for the opposition to agree. In Kenya’s case the opposition has never agreed with the government policies thank God the government has more legislators than the opposition. They only agree when the legislators want to increase their salaries. Article 131(2) gives the president Authority to respect, uphold and safeguard to constitution; safeguard the sovereignty of the Republic, promote and enhance the unity of the nation, promote and respect for the diversity of the people and communities of Kenya and ensure the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms and the rule of law. It is upon this backdrop that the President has called for the opposition to conduct themselves with decorum as they do the public rallies and stay away from making statements that incites communities against communities. He has welcomed the dialogue and invited all sectors concerned including religious leaders to help him fulfill his constitutional mandates. Lastly the constitution under article 33(2) indicates that the right to freedom of expression does not extend to (a) propaganda for war (b) Incitement to violence (c) Hate speech or (d) Advocacy of hatred that (1) Constitutes ethnic incitement, vilification of others or incitement to cause harm; or is based on any ground of discrimination specified or contemplated in Article 27(4).In 2007/2008 we witnessed Kenya burning down to ashes but we still managed to rise again we don’t want to go that route because we know what value it did not add on us. We are healing the wounds of post-election violence and we would not wish to go the same way. It is upon this that we seriously need religious leaders on board to help us unite this great nation Kenya. Kenya is not a cake to be cut or a bread to be shared and consumed but a state to be protected.
Posted on: Wed, 25 Jun 2014 13:01:43 +0000
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