I strongly disapprove of the scramble by politicians to join the Kenya Kwanza alliance in the name of seeking development.
The Constitution allocates resources to the county and national governments. Parliament then appropriates the resources within the strict confines of the law. It is, thus, a fallacy to think or imagine that resources are allocated at State House.
The influx of leaders to State House depicts the highest level of lack of principles and vision in leadership for building and developing the country.
President William Ruto does not believe in a vibrant democracy as he falsely proclaims. He is participating in and encouraging the destruction of democratic institutions.
The President's conduct mirrors the widespread dictatorship that ruled during the Nyayo era and hints at the possibility of the emergence of the same in the guise of development.
It is an open secret that the Moi-era dictatorship is creeping back and being superintendent by none other than the President himself.
The leaders presenting themselves to the president for cheap auction are pursuing their selfish interests and not the people’s, as they claim.
It is unfortunate that 60 years after Independence, Kenya has not made any major strides in development, even with so much national potential in terms of resources.
Singapore, without much resources, is already in the first world league. At Independence, Kenya was better off than Singapore. This is what Azimio leader Raila Odinga has been talking about.
Raila has made a lot of sacrifices determined to transform Kenya. He has, however, not been lucky but I wish to commend him for the contribution he has made over time in building democratic institutions that are now being undermined.
The country has come a long way and it took personal sacrifices by leaders of goodwill, including Raila, to realise devolution, which is an instrument of equity and fairness in national development.
The UDA regime must allow space for public participation in every sphere of leadership and development. Development cannot be dished out as tokens by the President or at the whims of those in power.
The Constitution spells out the involvement of the people in their priorities and provides for robust engagement mechanisms.
Neither of the leaders trooping to State House has consulted the people for that matter. These leaders should not do business with the electorate. It should be on record that they are pursuing their interests because they have not consulted anyone. They lack discipline and patriotism.
For a fact, they should stop abusing the goodwill of the people and being used by the system to undermine democracy It is ignorant for a group of leaders to say they don't care who is the president. Then why do we hold elections? This is a misguided and lopsided way of looking at democracy and governance.
Unfortunately, the said group of leaders and the President encourage the destruction of democracy and development institutions in favour of an autocratic culture.
I understand our party leader, Raila, is not an angel. He might have made mistakes but this behaviour does not justify these actions where leaders want to reap from where they did not sow.
Even the international community, which cherishes democracy and accountability, should make public their position on where they stand about what we are seeing in Kenya.
Unfortunately, what has been built for over 60 years is going down the drain.
Those who have crossed over are perpetuating the narrative Raila's people from Nyanza have abandoned him.
This is unfortunate because the philosophy behind it is neither here nor there. Many of the leaders you see now are Raila's products, including the President, whom Raila had made a member of the ODM pentagon from the Rift Valley.
Turning against your father at this moment is a betrayal of the highest level.
ODM must be selfishly protected and the culture of democracy encouraged, preserved and entrenched. The best practice in managing a country is to ensure a growing culture of accountability and openness.
The writer is the ODM national treasurer and ex-Kitutu Masaba MP.
