Tame intolerance before it kills party democracy

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy have come out strongly to defend leaders from the Opposition who have been asked by their sponsoring parties to either toe the line or quit.

While castigating the leader of the Opposition Raila Odinga, Mr Kenyatta said people had the right to make their choices.

That, as it may be, is the basis for democracy. We have moved beyond the campaign period and must now work together to help this country realise Vision 2030 and prove that we are a middle income country in line with the rebasing of the economy.

Unfortunately, there is a problem as posturing between politicians from both sides of the divide continues unabated.

There is lack of goodwill between senior politicians to mend fences and pull together.

Leaders must practice what they preach in order to be taken seriously. Intolerance pervades virtually all political parties in the country and neither The National Alliance, United Republican Party, United Democratic Forum nor Orange Democratic Party are spared.

How many times have motions in Parliament been passed on the basis of tyranny of numbers?

When governors from the URP side sought to have allocations to the counties increased through the Pesa Mashinani referendum push, they were told they were either with Jubilee or in the Opposition with CORD.

This even led to embarrassing public altercations between the chairman of the Council of Governors and the Leader of Majority in Parliament. CORD has issued the same warning to those expressing the desire to work with the Government.

Leader's intent on working with the Government of the day for the common good of the people must be facilitated to do so.

However, there must be a distinction between working with the Government and working for the Government. The latter will neuter the Opposition and give the Government free rein.

That is the bone of contention.