Tyranny of numbers is merely democracy at play

Majority leader Aden Duale

Democracy has been aptly described as majority having their way and minority having their say. So what’s this talk about tyranny of numbers? Let’s put it into perspective.

The phrase ‘tyranny of numbers’ crept into the political scene just before the 2013 elections. In presciently predicting a huge victory for Jubilee, a political analyst had used it and since then it has become a permanent feature in our political discourse.

The literal definition of tyranny does not of course sit well with democracy. Any form of tyranny is unacceptable in a civilised country like ours. Jubilee’s victory in 2013 was a clear-cut exercise of democracy and had nothing to do with tyranny, a word redolent of despotism, dictatorship and irresponsible application of power. The majority of Kenyans exercised their free will as enshrined in the Constitution and voted overwhelmingly for the current administration. Of course detractors would be happy to water down that victory by unjustifiably using the tyranny-of-numbers remark.

Yet democracy is essentially a concept anchored on tyranny of numbers in the real sense of the phrase. Democracy is nothing if not founded on numerical strength. What some, in a twisted sense of logic, call tyranny of numbers is in a real sense an unequivocal democratic mandate given to an administration by the electorate.

Few would argue with the fact that our democracy has made remarkable strides since we attained independence. The voters’ level of awareness on connection between the kind of leaders they elect and quality of services rendered as well as development programmes rolled out has grown.

When Kenyans cast their vote in free and fair polls, the result is a true reflection of their wishes and aspirations. It’s therefore an insult to Kenyans and a mockery of the fundamental democratic advances we have made when we try to discount their electoral choices by such derogatory and demeaning tyranny-of-numbers remarks. The moment you start interpreting the majority decision in elections as some sort of tyranny you are basically repudiating the essence of free choice and the foundation of liberal ideology.

Even in mature democracies tyranny of numbers is always used, of course, for a good cause. For example in the UK, the Conservative Party currently rules the roost in the House of Commons and brings its strength to bear on its legislative agenda. In the US, the House of Representatives is in the grips of the Republicans and the party is calling the shots accordingly. Thus, tyranny of numbers is therefore at the core of democracy. Yet in Kenya the opposition is hitting out at Jubilee for using its democratically given mandate to push its agenda.

We thought the issue of tyranny of numbers would fizzle out once the dust raised by the 2013 polls had somewhat settled. However, it has found its way into Parliament and has even taken an ominous dimension where Opposition MPs are refusing to defer to constitutional institutions by screaming about tyranny of numbers at every turn. Apparently, this has become a favourite fig leaf to conceal the opposition’s staggering inadequacies. As Jubilee has said for the umpteenth time, the right way to resolve the impasse on the Independent Electoral Commission is through Parliament. However, CORD has stuck to its guns in rooting for extra-judicial means. Their lame excuse? Jubilee would deploy tyranny of numbers to scuttle any meaningful reforms. As if Jubilee MPs do not know what is good for Kenyans and are thus bent on using their resounding mandate irresponsibly. Nothing can be more far-fetched.

Whatever business we transact in the National Assembly and the Senate, Kenyans are keenly watching. Jubilee MPs and Senators cannot afford to abuse the power and the numerical strength accorded to them by the electorate because if they did that they would pay heavily in the polls. Therefore, when we insist that Parliament is the constitutional avenue to comprehensively deal with any changes to IEBC or any other institutions, we are doing so because this is where the voice of Wanjiku, Atieno, Jebet, Khadija and Mwende will be heard loud and clear through their representatives.

The Opposition can only state their case in Parliament and their say as the minority will be heard. If they have valid and credible arguments the Jubilee side will not be as unreasonable as to reject logical submissions that would serve the interests of Kenyans. But Jubilee would not countenance any changes pushed on flimsy grounds and would apply their muscle accordingly.

When CORD talk of dialogue outside the established institutions all they really want is a disproportionate share of power that was never accorded to them through the ballot. Jubilee will not abdicate its mandate but will continue to deploy ‘tyranny’ of numbers in the service of the people.