One of the most oft asked question in follow up to my last blog post is, since we have such a long wait, what will be happening in the mean time? There are few scenarios that would play themselves out, but instead, let us concentrate on the most likely ones.
I will start with the thought I left off on the last blog post. We need to be more vigilant over who we vote for come the general election, especially those who will be in charge of the County Government. Pay very close attention to who you choose for your Governor, since he is the first "president" you will have, incharge of your immediate domicile. Also choose your county representative carefully, he will be the one who determines if the local primary school gets the extra classrooms it needs, or whether they will push for tenders to give themselves business. As per the Constitution, the county government will be the primary service provider of governance for the common mwananchi. This being the case, if there is no challenge to the election, the Governor and his county representatives should be sworn in within 14 days of the election. This means, they will start the business of governance at least two months before the President takes oath of office. The county government will have its own cabinet, referred to as Executive Committee, which will start the process of deciding how much we will pay to do business in that county, what we will need in order to have a good time in the local pub and such mundane issues. if they so want, as stipulated in the schedule, they can even decide to have all dogs registered and the owners required to have collars for their mongrels.
We also must choose the member of the National Assembly carefully. In passing the new Constitution, we did away with dictatorship by one person, and legislated dictatorship by 350 people. One only see how powerful and unstoppable the 10th parliament was after the constitution passed. They will vet all presidential appointees, they will decide how the 15% that is to go to Counties will be dished out (though thankfully there is a formula they must use to do this) They will decide how the equalisation fund will be used. They will make laws concerning the land. In this vein, we must also look carefully at the choice of the Super MP. This is who is commonly referred to as the Women's Rep. She is the only member of the National Assembly who will have a countywide mandate rather than a constituency only. These are the women who will be like free radicals in the house, the swing vote if you wish. If we have an impressionable lot, we can be sure they will not do what sent them to the House. Since the Senator's role is quite sedentary in the early days of government, we can pick the candidate we see potential in, since the role of Senator as per the Kenyan context is very unlike what we had post independence, and quite unlike what it is in other jurisdictions with bi-cameral houses.
We need to be extra careful who we choose to vote for, and how we conduct the polls. If there is a fall out prior to the results being announced, the tensions will make it more difficult to await an outcome. If the Presidential race is tense, we may find the county governments unable to operate because the politicians are still haggling over what will happen in State House. In fact, we are in graver danger of the elected county reps and governors failing to start work, rather than the electorate revolting. We need to ensure that we are vigilant enough to let them know, that they must start work immediately so that we are able to have a smoother transition.
What will happen after March 4th? On March 5th we will be back to work, since the Government only gave us one day off to go and vote. The Governor will take over from the County Commissioner. The assets and liabilities of the County will now have custodians, and so the process of sharing this out will begin. Civil Servants will be re-deployed, and the big shift will happen. The transition from the former constitution to this will be in its final stages.
One thing we must remember, violence needs opponents facing off. If we refuse to face off physically, the transition should be interesting to watch and maybe even smooth. The thing that should be consistent, is the obstinate refusal to yield to the temptation of running the streets to "agitate" for what we perceive is ours to have. We have prayed, we have talked peace, we have pledged peace and it is almost time to practise what we have been preaching. As it says in Ecclesiastes 8, there is a time for everything and a season for every purpose under heaven. This Election too, shall come to pass.
We also must choose the member of the National Assembly carefully. In passing the new Constitution, we did away with dictatorship by one person, and legislated dictatorship by 350 people. One only see how powerful and unstoppable the 10th parliament was after the constitution passed. They will vet all presidential appointees, they will decide how the 15% that is to go to Counties will be dished out (though thankfully there is a formula they must use to do this) They will decide how the equalisation fund will be used. They will make laws concerning the land. In this vein, we must also look carefully at the choice of the Super MP. This is who is commonly referred to as the Women's Rep. She is the only member of the National Assembly who will have a countywide mandate rather than a constituency only. These are the women who will be like free radicals in the house, the swing vote if you wish. If we have an impressionable lot, we can be sure they will not do what sent them to the House. Since the Senator's role is quite sedentary in the early days of government, we can pick the candidate we see potential in, since the role of Senator as per the Kenyan context is very unlike what we had post independence, and quite unlike what it is in other jurisdictions with bi-cameral houses.
We need to be extra careful who we choose to vote for, and how we conduct the polls. If there is a fall out prior to the results being announced, the tensions will make it more difficult to await an outcome. If the Presidential race is tense, we may find the county governments unable to operate because the politicians are still haggling over what will happen in State House. In fact, we are in graver danger of the elected county reps and governors failing to start work, rather than the electorate revolting. We need to ensure that we are vigilant enough to let them know, that they must start work immediately so that we are able to have a smoother transition.
What will happen after March 4th? On March 5th we will be back to work, since the Government only gave us one day off to go and vote. The Governor will take over from the County Commissioner. The assets and liabilities of the County will now have custodians, and so the process of sharing this out will begin. Civil Servants will be re-deployed, and the big shift will happen. The transition from the former constitution to this will be in its final stages.
One thing we must remember, violence needs opponents facing off. If we refuse to face off physically, the transition should be interesting to watch and maybe even smooth. The thing that should be consistent, is the obstinate refusal to yield to the temptation of running the streets to "agitate" for what we perceive is ours to have. We have prayed, we have talked peace, we have pledged peace and it is almost time to practise what we have been preaching. As it says in Ecclesiastes 8, there is a time for everything and a season for every purpose under heaven. This Election too, shall come to pass.
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