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How The Worst Parliament In Our History Has Become The Root of All Problems

BY Absalom Wafula · May 21, 2023 02:05 pm

KEY POINTS

A recent poll by the Kenyan Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA) found that only 13% of Kenyans have confidence in their politicians. This is a significant decline from the 20% who had confidence in politicians in 2017.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

arliament has passed a number of laws that have been seen as benefiting the wealthy and powerful at the expense of the poor and the majority. For example, the recent changes to land laws have been seen as making it easier for wealthy individuals and companies to acquire land, often at the expense of small farmers and landless people.

Kenyans have been facing a number of problems in recent years, including poverty, unemployment, corruption, and insecurity. Many Kenyans believe that the root of these problems is their Parliament.

There are a number of reasons why Kenyans believe that their Parliament is the root of all problems. First, Parliament is responsible for making laws, and many of the laws that have been passed in recent years have been seen as benefiting the wealthy and powerful at the expense of the poor and the majority. For example, the recent changes to land laws have been seen as making it easier for wealthy individuals and companies to acquire land, often at the expense of small farmers and landless people.

Second, Parliament is responsible for overseeing the government’s spending, but there is widespread corruption in the government and much of the money that is supposed to be spent on public services is instead being embezzled by government officials. This corruption has led to a decline in the quality of public services, such as education and healthcare.

Third, Parliament is supposed to be a check on the power of the president, but in recent years, the president has become increasingly powerful, and Parliament has been largely unable to hold him accountable. This has led to a situation where the president is able to do whatever he wants, without fear of consequences. One thing that is sore is the issue of taxation where it is the mandate and right of Parliament yet it’s the President running the show.

As a result of these problems, many Kenyans have lost faith in their Parliament. They believe that Parliament is not working for them, but instead is working for the wealthy and powerful. This has led to a growing sense of frustration and anger among Kenyans, and it is one of the factors that has contributed to the recent increase in political violence.

There are a number of things that ordinary Kenyans can do to hold Parliament accountable. First, they can vote for candidates who are committed to fighting corruption and improving the quality of public services. Second, they can participate in public hearings and consultations on important issues. Third, they can hold their elected representatives accountable by writing to them, calling them, and attending their public meetings.

It is important for ordinary Kenyans to remember that they have the power to hold Parliament accountable. If they do not use this power, then Parliament will continue to be the root of all problems in Kenya.

How Kenyans View Their Politicians;

The poll found that the main reasons for Kenyans’ lack of confidence in politicians are corruption, incompetence, and lack of transparency. Kenyans also believe that politicians are more interested in serving their own interests than the interests of the people.

The poll’s findings suggest that Kenyans are deeply disillusioned with their politicians. This disillusionment is a major challenge to Kenya’s democracy. If Kenyans do not have confidence in their politicians, then they will be less likely to participate in the political process and less likely to hold politicians accountable.

There are a number of things that can be done to address Kenyans’ lack of confidence in politicians. First, politicians need to be more transparent and accountable. They need to be more open about their finances and their decision-making processes.

Second, politicians need to do more to fight corruption. They need to create a culture of zero tolerance for corruption and they need to hold corrupt officials accountable. Third, politicians need to be more responsive to the needs of the people. They need to listen to the concerns of the people and they need to work to address those concerns.

If politicians can do these things, then they can begin to rebuild Kenyans’ confidence in them. This is essential for the future of Kenya’s democracy.

Key issues Kenyans have with the Politicians;

Laws that benefit the wealthy and powerful

In recent years, Parliament has passed a number of laws that have been seen as benefiting the wealthy and powerful at the expense of the poor and the majority. For example, the recent changes to land laws have been seen as making it easier for wealthy individuals and companies to acquire land, often at the expense of small farmers and landless people. Not to mention the latest being the proposed tax relief for the wealthy where they can import plane and helicopter parts for virtually nothing. Then the poor are slapped with hefty taxes.

Widespread corruption

There is widespread corruption in the Kenyan government, and much of the money that is supposed to be spent on public services is instead being embezzled by government officials. This corruption has led to a decline in the quality of public services, such as education and healthcare.

The president’s increasing power

In recent years, the president has become increasingly powerful, and Parliament has been largely unable to hold him accountable. This has led to a situation where the president is able to do whatever he wants, without fear of consequences.

These problems have led to a loss of faith in Parliament among many Kenyans. They believe that Parliament is not working for them, but instead is working for the wealthy and powerful. This has led to a growing sense of frustration and anger among Kenyans, and it is one of the factors that has contributed to the recent increase in political violence.

Here are some things that ordinary Kenyans can do to hold Parliament accountable:

Vote for candidates who are committed to fighting corruption and improving the quality of public services.
Participate in public hearings and consultations on important issues.
Hold their elected representatives accountable by writing to them, calling them, and attending their public meetings.

Here are some things that politicians can do to address Kenyans’ lack of confidence in them:

Be more transparent and accountable.
Do more to fight corruption.
Be more responsive to the needs of the people.

If politicians can do these things, then they can begin to rebuild Kenyans’ confidence in them. This is essential for the future of Kenya’s democracy.

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