The Kenyan constitutional referendum has been a waste of resources for a long time. The government spent so much money in the defeated referendum in November 2005. Again, leading to this upcoming referendum, the government finds itself in a situation where they have spent so much resource to put the draft together and even campaign for the draft itself. Surely, we have got to move on from these YES and NO’s .There is nothing worse in life than failing to make a decision, and this is what we have certainly been witnessing over the last few years. Sometimes it’s even better to make a decision that’s wrong and build on that to make a correct one. For us to remain discussing the same issues on the constitution without making a step forward is weak and being stagnant. We need to be aware that every time there is a contentious issue in place, it’s always hard to bring the parties involved to agree, what Kenyans need to do for now is to let us have the new constititution and then any amendments can be made once we have it in place.
If I was given the opportunity to be the decision maker, in this case the executive, I would convince parliament to debate and isolate the contentious issues and put them aside. Once we put this issues aside, we can have the rest of the draft implemented into a constitution. Am assuming that once we set aside the contentious issues, we will have a 100% YES vote. Once the constitution has been put in place, the other issues can be reviewed and debated and then a later date for those issues to be voted for or against can be set, probably sometime next year. I believe that this will foster national unity and ensure that no further funds are wasted. We have to be aware that whether the constitution draft passes or fails on august 4th, 2010, some of the contentious issues in the draft can only be amended via a referendum. Which again will call for funds and of course further wasted funds.
Surely, twenty years is a long time for a democratic country like Kenya, with enough educated individuals. It’s a shame that 20 years on we are still searching for a new constitution. Whether we hold this referendum today, tomorrow or even 100 years, I believe that there is no way that we will come to a consensus on ALL the issues or clauses, In my view, let’s have it as it is for now and we can continue to amend those issues on a pay as you go basis. Let’s have this constitution and move on. So from me it’s a YES with no strings attached. August 4th, 2010, one word….YES..
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
The Kenya Constuitution Referendum
Why I am for a “Yes”
As Kenya plans for a constitutional referendum set to be held sometime this year, I would like to give my thoughts on why we should vote for it and why I support the draft that was passed on April 3, 2010.
This new constitution adds more rights for Kenyan citizens and we therefore should not be seeking corrupt politicians to be interpreting this draft for us. I simply cannot stand Mr Ruto and the church’s arguments for trying to advocate and campaign against the draft. What they should know is we can have what is there for now and anything that needs to be changed can always be worked out with time.
Most of this opposition to this draft is especially from the churches fearing that it may open up the issues of abortion. Having grown up in Kenya, I have experience that tells me that anything that is good has always attracted criticism or variety of opinions from those who feel bad about whatever good you may have, be it beautiful wife, nice home, job or car .That’s why we have those people who thrive on others downfall. I find the argument about Kadhi’s courts less convincing. If these christians want their own courts, who has stopped them. No one. In the Bomas draft in 2005, the Kadhi’s courts was never a contentious issue, suddenly people calling themselves christians are now making noise that kadhi’s courts be scrapped when they have been around for as long as I can remember. A new constitution must be about adding more rights to its citizens and I believe with a new constitution in place, parliament and the judiciary will have more power and as a result the executive will have less. This way we will be able to control the impunity and corruption that is so rampant in our country.
I like the fact that land will be protected, and that parliament will have to vet as to who joins the executive. These so called politicians, who are opposed, are the very same people who stated that the government wasn’t serious about the constituition.Now that the President and Prime Minister are working towards giving Kenyans a new constitution, they are the very same people raising very stupid reasons to be opposed and being in the “No” camp.
Ruto and company have to be honest about themselves and more especially to the Kenyan citizens that entrust them to lead us. They should realize that they are trying to mislead Kenyans and they are only opposed to the draft constitution just because Mr Raila is in the “Yes” camp. Anyways, I hope I wake up to a day that Kenya has a new constitution.
Enough of Kenyan politics!
As Kenya plans for a constitutional referendum set to be held sometime this year, I would like to give my thoughts on why we should vote for it and why I support the draft that was passed on April 3, 2010.
This new constitution adds more rights for Kenyan citizens and we therefore should not be seeking corrupt politicians to be interpreting this draft for us. I simply cannot stand Mr Ruto and the church’s arguments for trying to advocate and campaign against the draft. What they should know is we can have what is there for now and anything that needs to be changed can always be worked out with time.
Most of this opposition to this draft is especially from the churches fearing that it may open up the issues of abortion. Having grown up in Kenya, I have experience that tells me that anything that is good has always attracted criticism or variety of opinions from those who feel bad about whatever good you may have, be it beautiful wife, nice home, job or car .That’s why we have those people who thrive on others downfall. I find the argument about Kadhi’s courts less convincing. If these christians want their own courts, who has stopped them. No one. In the Bomas draft in 2005, the Kadhi’s courts was never a contentious issue, suddenly people calling themselves christians are now making noise that kadhi’s courts be scrapped when they have been around for as long as I can remember. A new constitution must be about adding more rights to its citizens and I believe with a new constitution in place, parliament and the judiciary will have more power and as a result the executive will have less. This way we will be able to control the impunity and corruption that is so rampant in our country.
I like the fact that land will be protected, and that parliament will have to vet as to who joins the executive. These so called politicians, who are opposed, are the very same people who stated that the government wasn’t serious about the constituition.Now that the President and Prime Minister are working towards giving Kenyans a new constitution, they are the very same people raising very stupid reasons to be opposed and being in the “No” camp.
Ruto and company have to be honest about themselves and more especially to the Kenyan citizens that entrust them to lead us. They should realize that they are trying to mislead Kenyans and they are only opposed to the draft constitution just because Mr Raila is in the “Yes” camp. Anyways, I hope I wake up to a day that Kenya has a new constitution.
Enough of Kenyan politics!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
"What Wenger can do to ensure Arsenal are challenging for titles"
Another season has gone by, another year and once again Arsenal have come up short in their quest to land their hands in any sort of trophy. Avid club supporters are now showing signs of loosing patience with the Wenger transfer policy of signing youth at the expense of the "tested and tried" experience type players.Yes, arguments can be put forth moving to the Emirates Stadium may have put a strain on the club's finances, but then again the sale of key players last season should have at bare minimum seen replacements.
Anyways that's water under the bridge, and what needs to be done is to plan for next season. Here are my suggestions on how Wenger should address the deficiances that have crept into the team over the last few seasons.Ask any manager and they will tell you that a team vying for trophies needs to have a great goalkeeper.A goalkeeper can win you points throughout the season, but it seems to me that at our club, the goalkeepers lose you points, this must be addressed urgently.No more crap, we need a real good goalkeeper.We also need a defensive midfield cover for Song.Add to that, a defender and an additional striker.I would go on, about us needing a true winger, buts thats another day's discussion.
Wenger has to swallow his pride and go out and buy players who have peaked and have enough experience in the game, need I say players who are willing to do anything to win.Players that hate to lose.
Once again, we left to wonder what might have been, and another year we carry our optimism foward to next season.If wenger addresses this issues, we will be soon back to the old winning ways.
Anyways that's water under the bridge, and what needs to be done is to plan for next season. Here are my suggestions on how Wenger should address the deficiances that have crept into the team over the last few seasons.Ask any manager and they will tell you that a team vying for trophies needs to have a great goalkeeper.A goalkeeper can win you points throughout the season, but it seems to me that at our club, the goalkeepers lose you points, this must be addressed urgently.No more crap, we need a real good goalkeeper.We also need a defensive midfield cover for Song.Add to that, a defender and an additional striker.I would go on, about us needing a true winger, buts thats another day's discussion.
Wenger has to swallow his pride and go out and buy players who have peaked and have enough experience in the game, need I say players who are willing to do anything to win.Players that hate to lose.
Once again, we left to wonder what might have been, and another year we carry our optimism foward to next season.If wenger addresses this issues, we will be soon back to the old winning ways.
"My Thoughts"
Each day I grow older, but on on each passing day too, I have more questions about myself and the things I really want. When I was growing up,as a young boy I always believed I knew everything about what life entails and what its all about.But as each day passes by, I realize that I know less. Therefore, my life has now become a journey that is always filled with questions, and though most times I struggle to find the answers I beleive that at some stage I will meet the people that will help me unravel this questions.For the moment, my life remains a journey!
Friday, February 12, 2010
Welcome To my Blog
Hello everyone,I would like to welcome you to my blog and also thank you for choosing to read the contents .In this blog, I hope to cover a wide range of issues, from sports, business,travel and essentially Kenyan politics. it is my hope that you will enlighten yourself and expand your knowledge on various topics and issues brought to the fore.Enjoy! JR Ondicho Ribasi
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