Commentaries
EQUAL SHARING OF POLITICAL POWER AND DISTRIBUTION OF NATIONAL RESOURCES.
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- Published on Tuesday, 05 June 2007 20:42
Later on, the KANU Power House was found non-representational. It was found dominated by Kikuyus and Luos, the two largest tribes in Kenyan Society. Given that the composition of these smaller communities triples the composition of Kikuyus and Luos, this was seen as quite unfair. Political leaders from small communities understood the danger this unequal representation in KANU posed, in case it had to form a Government. Their main concern was on restoration of Civil rights and liberties, and equal sharing of national resources. Leaders like Daniel Arap Moi (Rift Valley) and Ronald Ngala (Coast) must have understood that equal distribution and sharing of national resources can only be possible if there is equal representation of all communities in the Government. Since KANU lacked equal representation, they moved on KADU. Now the major difference was people’s attitude towards the two parties. KANU was identified with the big tribes whereas KADU was seen as the savior of the small tribes, who in reality are the majority. This conflicting problem was resolved only after the intervention of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta. The KANU and KADU merger led Kenya into Majimboism; the only system Ronald Ngala believed could lead into equal sharing of political powers and national resources.
Moving from the principle of equal political representation and sharing of national resources, what have we to say about NARC, KANU (of today), FORD PEOPLE and SDP? Taking NARC, the most vibrant political party on the floor as a case study, what is the representational ratio in their leadership hierarchy? Since its formation, I’ve always heard of Mr Kibaki (Kikuyu), Mr Raila Odinga (Luo), Mr. Wamalwa (Luhya) and Ms. Charity Ngilu (Kamba). For those who don’t know the population sizes of our individual communities in the Kenyan Society, the Kikuyu community is the largest, followed by the Luos, then Luhyas, and the Kambas are fourth. Does this kick your thought system in any way? Of course it’s almost impossible to have all tribes directly represented in a political party or a Government; but I think, it is also equally impossible to have such a government distribute national resources equally among all the communities they govern. In their hotel formula, Kibaki + Raila + ( Wamalwa + Ngilu ) = President + Prime Minister + ( Vice President + Vice Prime Minister ). From my own observation, as much as Wamalwa and Ngilu remain within the brackets, their offices are subject to change! Nonetheless, was this the only formula NARC could use in sharing out National Political Powers? Couldn’t they find any vocal place for Prof. Saitoti and William Ole Ntimama among other dignitaries from small communities? Hey Narc, what happened?
I think, we need such a likes of KADU in which our voice (the voice of the small tribes) can be heard. Despite the struggles to balance power, a party that gives economic hope is very much necessary because the economy is our backbone. This is one of the major characteristics of quality leadership. And it can only come if and only if there is a collective participation in running the government, for this will assign a responsibility and accountability to each representative. What we need is quality leadership, and for quality leadership, no sample community can ever offer this. Quality leadership doesn’t take 150, 000 people welcoming Kibaki at the JKI Airport. After all, who knows whether the Airport congregation was only the whole arsenal from Othaya? It is not the number of people you draw to your political rally, but the ratio of representation in that rally. For the starters, it’s important to note that the ratio of representation of communities depend upon these communities’ representation in that party. Let us not confuse the Kenyans by our large crowds. Do we have a place for all communities in our parties no matter their population size? I am not a sympatiser of KANU and FORD PEOPLE, but their power houses are a bit clear even though not perfect. Hey Kenyans! Stop following the multitude. What happens the moment you find that you have no ground to stand when you reach in that room. When Kibaki and Wamalwa came back from London, the welcoming songs were full of Kikuyu and Luo tunes. Are we going to start speaking Kikuyu and Dholuo after Kibaki and Raila enter Office?
