Are we about to shoot ourselves in the foot once again on account of our political differences? Why should the efforts of hardworking Kenyans who have laboured for years suddenly go up in smoke?
The opposition and the Jubilee government are on a perilous collision course on a dispute regarding the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission. ODM and Cord have adopted a system of civil disobedience and picketing to air their discontent whilst government has demanded that they follow the laid down constitutional procedure. The opposition is averse to following a parliamentary procedure on account of the fact that Jubilee enjoys a majority and can easily control the process and influence the eventual outcome. But Cord’s civil protests have been infiltrated by looters and criminals and as a consequence the police have responded by dispersing the same with teargas, water cannons and some violence.
Efforts by religious groups to bring the warring parties to dialogue have been unsuccessful. Each side is extremely wary and suspicious of the other, which is a reflection of the fragmented state of our nation. Cord believes Jubilee is hell bent on controlling the IEBC to enable them to win the forthcoming election whilst Jubilee swear the opposition is out to secure power through unconstitutional means. Jubilee leaders have consented to dialogue through a parliamentary process but Cord will hear none of it! They demand the removal of all IEBC commissioners as a pre-condition to any negotiations — a position unacceptable to Jubilee.
We therefore not only have a stalemate but a very volatile situation is brewing with Cord insisting on continuing with civil disobedience and members of the business community threatening to counter the same to forestall looters and other law breakers masquerading as protesters. That all this is taking place against the background of a community with heightened political and ethnic tensions is dangerous to say the least. Some vexatious inter-meddlers including agents of terror could mischievously infiltrate the protest and turn the whole affair into a totally different ballgame. It could easily turn out to be the spark that lit a powder keg.
The international community is closely watching. Nairobi is now obviously a “no go zone” to their tourists and staff. Several scheduled international conferences are now in danger of cancellation unless the situation improves soon. Are we about to shoot ourselves in the foot once again on account of our political differences? Why should the efforts of hardworking Kenyans who have laboured for years suddenly go up in smoke because of parochial political disagreements?
It is imperative therefore that our political leaders put their personal differences aside and engage in civil dialogue for the sake of this great nation. It matters precious little as to who is wrong or who is right. Indeed, they could even both be right. As the late former Vice President George Saitoti once stated, “There comes a time when the nation is greater than an individual”.
The IEBC commissioners also need to ponder whether their continued stay in office should endanger national peace and prosperity. Their early departure would offer Kenya a much needed safety valve. The country is large enough to reward them in other ways for this patriotic act of sacrifice. Such an act would in any event call Cord’s bluff and a new commission would have to be constituted through a constitutional parliamentary process.