This archive report was first published on 21 September 2019.
Published on September 21, 2019, by Tom Mshindi, former editor-in-chief of the Nation Group.
Speculation is rife that the worst-kept secret in Kenya is a looming referendum before 2022, which will ask citizens to endorse a constitutional amendment expanding the executive. This move is allegedly necessary to address the country's divisive politics, making the competition for the presidency a cutthroat, zero-sum game.
Dr. Ekuro Aukot's Punguza Mizigo initiative, which seeks to reduce the burden of the existing governance system on ordinary Kenyans, is facing severe headwinds in many counties. It is alleged that gullible and greedy Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) are selling their votes, which could lead to the premature defeat of the petition.
The Ugatuzi option, fronted by the Council of Governors, broadly aligns with the expected recommendations of the Building Bridges Initiative. This includes the creation of the positions of prime minister and one or two deputies, in addition to the president and deputy president. Another layer of governance at the regional level, such as regional governors, may also be recommended.
However, critics argue that such a structure would not effectively represent ordinary Kenyans, be efficient, or promote equity in resource allocation and utilization. It would instead underpin an oppressive state hegemony cooperating with the interests of tribal elites.
For instance, the Governor's Ugatuzi option demands that every county must have at least a Cabinet Secretary, a deputy CS, or a principal secretary. This requirement is seen as unnecessary, especially 60 years into independence, when the majority of people have been socialized to meritocracy as the key definer of leadership.
The machinations behind the constitutional change question are driven by the specter of 2022 presidential elections and succession. Specifically, the nettlesome dilemma of how to compromise Deputy President William Ruto's single-minded objective of taking over State House is at play.
Those in power will likely shift posts to accommodate the dominant paradigm after achieving their goal. This will leave the sub-structure intact, as it is politically weak, intellectually small-minded, and resource-poor to upset the dominant order.
As it stands, the political elite will win Kenya the accolade of being a rare country where middle-class elites have abdicated their role to enforce change and manage it, especially when their comfort is in imminent peril.
Tom Mshindi is the former editor-in-chief of the Nation Group and is now consulting.
