BBI Proposals on Judiciary, IEBC are a Setback to Good Governance.

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Handshake-partner Raila Odinga on Monday launched the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report at the Bomas of Kenya.

In attendance were the Deputy President William Ruto, a lot of party leaders including Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper Party), Musalia Mudavadi (ANC), Moses Wetangula (Ford Kenya), Isaac Ruto (CCM), Alfred Mutua (Maendeleo Chap Chap) and several political leaders.

At least 5000 Kenyans, mobilized across the country, attended the event.

As each leader took to the podium to address the nation, it was clear that many of them had approved the BBI proposals even before the majority of Kenyans had a chance to read it.

Until the Deputy President took his turn to address the nation, the BBI proponents were having a walk in the park.

His speech, though contrary to that of the majority who attended, captured the real issues that needed to be made clear in black and white before any debate on referendum kicks off.

Behind the political agenda that surrounded DP Ruto’s address stands the reality of what the BBI not only failed to address but also the missed point.

The BBI was founded based on inclusivity and also ending divisive elections that have characterized the Kenyan politics after every five years.

The basis of its formation is both noble and necessary for the sake of ensuring that no Kenyan loses his or her life because of elections.

However, while the course of the Initiative was clear, the recommendations of the committee mandated with the responsibility of drafting the final report in all appearances went south.

For instance, the last two General Elections witnessed a fierce Supreme Court battles for the Presidential elections. The results of the two historical cases are not news anymore.

At a time when the Judiciary is yet to gain its full independence, an observation on the performance of the Supreme Court in the two cases gives hope on a justice system that is devoid of political interference.

When the BBI task force recommends that the President appoints an Ombudsman to head the Judiciary, without doubt, the person will owe his allegiance to the appointing authority.

With this in mind, the Ombudsman might intimidate the Judges and Magistrates to make rulings that serve the interest of the State.t

Kenya is past those times when the Judicial decisions were made through phone call. With such recommendations, your guess is as good as mine whether the BBI got it right or wrong.

On the issues of IEBC, it is an abuse of democracy to suggest that electoral commissioners should come from political parties, the role of an electoral body is to play a neutral role in managing elections.

It must ensure that both sides have an equal playground as they battle each other for victory. 

With commissioners fronted to serve the political interest of their parties, it is impossible to achieve an equal playground and worst the part it is a recipe for chaos. 

While we agree that we have had issues with our electoral systems, IEBC should be enabled to exercise their independence as enshrined by the constitution.

As a country, we should endeavor to empower our Judicial and electoral systems to enhance good governance.

A working Judiciary and IEBC is the only panacea to electoral injustices bedeviling Kenya.

 So in summary of all this words, the most important question that you should ask yourself is that; have you read the BBI report, have you read your constitution rights? So before you base your opinion based on the political party or leader you like take your time and read for yourself to enlighten your life now and that of the future generations. Knowledge is power.