A letter on new harmonised draft
Dear Editor,
The reason Kenyans have so doggedley pushed for a new constitution is to increase accountability in government and particularly in the Presidency. All other aspects of constitutional reform are secondary to this agenda. The draft of the PSC increases accountability in government. The President can be impeached, does not control Parliament's calender, cannot appoint dubious friends into public service including parastatals (the Public Service Commission has been politically shielded), cannot give out land for political or personal reasons and will not have judges beholden to him. The new look President will be a very different one from the one we know today. Today the Presidency is the center around which all public matters gravitate - a King for all intents and purposes.
It is true that devolution in the PSC draft is only about resources. Ordinary Kenyans were interested in devolution precisely for this reason - to improve social and economic services where they live. Political devolution, where regional tribal chiefs wrestle with powers at the center, is a historical preoccupation of the political elite. However, Counties should be given real resources to work with including CDF and other devolved funds. Giving the Counties control of only limited equilisation funds is tokenistic.
The political crisis the country is in was created by the political class. It is a very good thing that they are now part of the solution.
Wamuyu Gatheru
Nairobi
Last Updated on Sunday, 07 March 2010 21:20
The rise of the’ International Development Industry’
