Anti-IEBC Protests Rock Kenya as Lies Fly
I have
fairly kept off the anti IEBC demos because it is unlikely that one can talk
about them without provoking feelings in some quarters. But then again, you
know it is also fallacious to create a wrong perception and deploy state
functionaries to attack a distorted version of the truth. Often times the
rhetoric from government in a chorus form is that CORD should use
constitutional means to deal with the IEBC issue and another one is that the
President does not have powers over IEBC. Well there is an advert by the Daily
Nation that "lies have the power to change you!" So now these lies
have tilted the public perception towards igniting public anger against the
owners of the demos. I have ever heard that when you want to eliminate it, you
complain it is smelling. The conversations going on is that CORD is using
unconstitutional means and that CORD is trying to push the president to do what
he has no powers to do etc. Here is the truth though. CORD has since 2014
called for national dialogue. Constitutional matters can be resolved through a
national dialogue, and in fact, the constitution creates very clear frameworks
for dialogue especially on matters of national concern and those touching on
independent institutions; we actually have a standing supreme court advisory on
this matter following a petition in 2014. National dialogue is therefore
constitutional. But government of Kenya has never appeared to be willing to
enter into such dialogue. Two: CORD came up with Okoa Kenya initiative, that
was a constitutional attempt at reforming the IEBC since among other issues
CORD was seeking to have the IEBC reformed. I guess those who have not come
from Mars could be knowing what became of the Okoa Kenya initiative. Currently
CORD is doing protests and in as much we may be hating to see such, they are
pretty much constitutional. CORD is talking of popular initiative since the
Okoa Kenya which could have been through representation failed and that too is
very much constitutional. I agree that Uhuru Kenyatta has no powers over the
IEBC, in terms of making any unilateral decision or giving any directive but he
knows for sure that he has the powers to enter into constructive negotiations
to reform the IEBC since it is a matter of national concern and that as well is
constitutional. But the President is playing the "I am helpless, you are
the ones who created this constitution that removes powers over IEBC from
me!" Well lies have the power to change. Think about it. I have not said
CORD is an angel neither have I said I support the anti-IEBC protests.
Anti-IEBC Protests Rock Kenya as Lies Fly
Reviewed by Ibrahim Magara
on
May 24, 2016
Rating:
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