Kenya is one country which faced whole lot of troubles before putting together a cobbled up coalition government in parliament. The elections were controversial with reports of irregularities by those in power; results were controversial, there was much post election violence and finally, with intervention of former United Nations secretary Kofi Annan, a power sharing peace equation was put in place.
Incumbent Mwai Kibaki was reinstated as President and pposition leader Raila Odinga was made the Prime Minister. The 93 member cabinet with huge pay packet of $10,000 each is in place. Yet, woes of people remain unaddressed and Kenya’s elected politicians are looking away from crucial administrative issues.
The tribal groups are still in conflicts. People displaced by violence and ethnic clashes are still in camps. Those who try to return home are being forced off it. Women and girls are still being raped and abused by dominating groups. People are forced to return to refugee camps. There were some 350,000 people displaced by clashes and very few could return home.
According to Human Rights Watch aid workers, international observers and experts, the crucial issues which need to be addressed are all controversial issues. They are related to constitutional review, land resettlement and reforms, and there is high competition for jobs. It is difficult to reach a consensus on issues pleasing all those in power. Neither corruption nor election irregularity or post election violence matters can be investigated. This will implicate many of cabinet members themselves. The coalition government itself will collapse if such matters are pursued in the interest of people and nation-rebuilding.
Moreover, the Kenyan President and Prime Minister have their contradicting agendas to pursue in the interest of their parties and supporters. For example, PM Odinga suggested amnesty for his jailed supporters while President Kibaki wants them to face judiciary. Rebuilding Kenya and governing Kenya seems to be on backburner. They are too busy staging and upstaging each other’s move.
All politicians seem to love power more than their country, country’s poor displaced people and their welfare.
source: LosAngelesTimes
