To paraphrase the book of Genesis, in the beginning, God created the Earth and placed man in it to superintend it. Man multiplied and soon there was the need to form a government for life had become short, nasty, and brutish.
The government was to derive it's just power from the consent of the governed. Whenever there was an overwhelming feeling that the government had become destructive to the ends for which it was set up in the first place, that is to guarantee the safety and the happiness of the people, then it would have to be taught the fear of the Lord.
Politics being the conveyor belt through which governments are established, have over time proved to place premiums on punishing governments rather than a genuine effort of all players working in concert for the people.
The Finance Bill, 2023, evokes memories of the now infamous MoU of 2003. Government hubris and politics of the time set the stage for the departure from the Bomas draft and the subsequent publication of the Wako draft, whose defeat in 2005 referendum humiliated and humbled the government. It is Karl Marx who observed that history repeats itself, first as a tragedy, then as a farce. Kenyans believe that a farcical repeat of the errors of Kibaki's first term is avoidable.
The arrogance of Kibaki's kitchen cabinet led by John Michuki and Kiraitu Murungi inflamed the passions of Kenyans against the constitutional draft in 2005. It should inspire the majority whip in Parliament Silvanus Osoro and other high-ranking members of Kenya
Kwanza administration to be more graceful lest they unnecessarily inflame passions against both the government and the Finance Bill. By now, I guess they are all aware of how fickle human affections can be. It is juvenile posturing to maintain that not even a comma would change, yet Parliament is receiving petitions and memoranda on the same Bill.
If anything, it is not a demonstration of strength for leadership to want to shut its ears to alternative views because democracy was designed as a work of constant compromise. The president's attempt to address himself to the question of social justice through affordable housing has not been fleshed out sufficiently. What we see instead is a blanket condemnation, especially by the Opposition that is now backtracking from their own election pledge. It is an economic imperative to enhance liquidity in the market.
The ripple effect of this project as a stop-gap measure will go a long way in this regard. So, I will stick my neck out for affordable housing. If implemented successfully, it's going to be good economics and good politics. The question is how will the government kill the stifling political noise that is threatening to throw out the baby with the bathwater?
Since employee-employer contribution has been bastardised already, we need to seriously consider budgetary allocation as an initial step to have houses built then the beneficiaries will then enter into a tenant purchase scheme with the debt being transferable to an heir in the event of incapacity to pay either on account of death or loss or income or any other incapacity.
Unlike Michuki who was a keen proponent of the 'Dual Executive' under the Bomas process, ostensibly to tame Moi but was quick to make a U-turn when he was a powerful member of the Cabinet, Kenya Kwanza leadership must continue to cultivate public support for their programmes through coherent, intelligent and graceful explanations. The people should not feel that the government is indifferent to their safety and happiness. If anything, it is the reason the governed surrender their sovereignty to the governor.
We, the people must also search for the truth in this debate and appreciate what we can do under the circumstances. It's not enough to enter into any debate for, or against. We might end up generating more heat than light. As the Finance Committee of the National Assembly concludes its work in Naivasha, we must see a demonstrated willingness to listen to the people and make necessary adjustments.
-Mr Kidi is a governance and policy analyst. kidimwaga@gmail.com
