Give public power to dissolve Parliament

In the recent past, Parliament has shown it is prone to political manipulation and abuse.

It is possible for a minister to be acting in the best interests of the public only to find himself on the receiving end of a parliamentary vote of no confidence.

We have witnessed situations where MPs’ interests run contrary to national interests, like when the public wanted them to pay taxes.

Wananchi should have a say in how Parliament operates. This would force MPs to act in the nation’s best interests on pain of dismissal.

The new constitution must give citizens the power to move a vote of no confidence against a rogue august House, dissolve it and call for fresh elections.

{Amoroso Gombe, Nairobi}

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Draft law should not divide Kenyans

The 14 regions in the Harmonised Draft Constitution’s have been carved in such a way that all the ‘big’ tribes get a region.

Tribalism is rampant during elections with presidential candidates calculating where they can score the much-needed 25 per cent in at least five provinces.

The divisions proposed in the draft laws will only fuel tribal conflicts. For wananchi to coexist peacefully, we first have to ensure there is unity.

Instead, let us have regions comprising two, three or four tribes.

Kenyans should learn to share the education, health and administrative facilities available at the regional level to dispel fears that only one tribe, or a select few, are eating the ‘national cake’.

{John Makheti, Nairobi}

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Forest crisis exposes dearth of leadership

The Mau crisis has exposed how low our leadership has sunk in terms of integrity.

We though that by embracing pluralism, the expanded democratic space would herald an era of constructive criticism.

But when leaders engage in double-speak and blackmail, one wonders what went amiss. When they malign one another’s names for cheap political gain, then society is in trouble.

It is unacceptable to reduce the conservation of water catchment areas to a show of might. Experts should have the final word on the issue, not politicians who are guilty of degazetting the forest.

Those opposed to conservation efforts must pause and think about posterity. What kind of country do they want to bequeath the next generation?

{B Amaya, Nairobi}

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