News from Nigeria that former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari (72)
of All Progressives Congress (APC) beat incumbent president Jonathan
Goodluck (57) of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is sweet news to the
opposition Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) whose one of
possible candidate Rt Hon Raila Odinga is often ruled out of the race
due to age. Coincidentally president elect Buhari won the seat in his
fourth attempt just like Raila too who if nominated by CORD will be
contesting for the fourth time for the presidency never forgetting that
President Uhuru Kenyatta will be 56 one year shy of Jonathan’s age and
Raila will be 72 same age as Buhari.
Already CORD supporters are allover on the social media taunting
Jubilee that they should be prepared for exit just like Jonathan and his
PDP. A CORD blogger and former University of Nairobi Student leader
David Osiany wrote on his Facebook page that “Just a quick observation
on the win by Nigeria’s opposition leader: He is 72, the age Raila
Odinga will be in 2017 He beat Goodluck Jonathan at 57, Uhuru Kenyatta
will be a year shy of that (56) in 2017. He beat an incumbent, which
goes to show that it is possible in Africa. Especially after former
Malawian President Joyce Banda’s loss too. Goodluck Jonathan just served
a term as a substantive President; such may be Uhuru’s fate. #TeamCORD #TwendeKazi”
While all these might be true, one similarity between Nigeria and
Kenya which should not be ignored is that just like in Nigeria where the
election was decided by mega corruption scandals and insecurity
necessitated by Islamist Boko Haram attacks, the Kenyan 2017 polls are
likely to be decided by mega corruption scandals that has rocked Jubilee
administration and insecurity necessitated by Islamist Al-Shabaab
militants. Perhaps this is the realization of Jubilee government hence
the latest purge of state officers accused of graft.
However for CORD to effectively use corruption as a tool to dislodge
Jubilee from power in 2017, they have to be seen to be “clean” and
corruption free. They must be seen to be fighting corruption within its
ranks and file. One may ask how CORD can do this yet they are out of
power. CORD can do this by not protecting their Governors, Members of
National Assembly (MNA), Senators and Members of County Assemblies (MCA)
surrounded by graft allegations.
Just like MNAs who have failed to toe the coalition’s positions on
issues like by-elections were summoned to show course why they should
not be disciplined by stripping them of membership hence loosing their
seats, the CORD members found to have presided over corruption should be
summoned and if found guilty stripped of membership and hence loose
their seats. CORD has already accused President Kenyatta of lacking
political will in graft war and that he is shielding sacred cows and at
the same time has stated publicly that they lack faith in Ethics and
Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) hence this move by CORD to discipline
the corrupt within its ranks will serve to convince Kenyans of CORD’s
seriousness to eliminating graft once they take over power.
Lastly just like Buhari’s APC that relied on the Civil Society
Organizations (CSOs) who were disgruntled by PDP’s administration’s
systematic targeting of CSOs to mobilize support for APC, CORD has to
think of a serious partnership with the Kenyan CSOs especially in war
against graft. The CSOs in Kenya who are currently under siege from
Jubilee government will work with CORD if it shows seriousness in war on
graft and commitment to full and proper implementation of the
Constitution of Kenya 2010. It must be noted that the National Rainbow
Coalition (NARC) was heavily supported by the CSOs who were then
reacting to the then Moi regime’s systematic targeting of CSOs and its
leaders.
Hakuna maoni:
Chapisha Maoni