CIC Chair Charles Nyachae warn Kenyans over the intended social economic audit of the Constitution. Good morning everybody! Last couple of days I have been reflecting on the intended social economic audit of the Constitution as proposed by the budget committee of The National Assembly. Ksh 80 million has already been set aside for that purpose. Nobody however has set out the terms of reference of this audit. My reflections on this proposal make me afraid as regards the intentions. And Kenyans should be afraid. Very afraid! There are too many questions! A social economic audit of the constitution is an excellent thing, if it includes auditing the cost of non implementation or poor implementation of the Constitution. It is a good thing if it is done by an objective team, not Parliament. It is a good thing if done at the end of the implementation period. Right now the state has not even began to address the issues that impact most directly on Amina and Moraa: the social economic rights under Article 43. Ensuring Moraa has clean water, Amina has adequate heath facilities, Mwikali has enough food at all times and Naliaka has access to education at all times, will cost money. Are we to say that its too expensive before we have even tried? And what would be the consequences of that conclusion? To bring the most historically disadvantaged Kenyans, say the nomadic 10 year old girl child living in Loiyangalani, to enjoy equal opportunities with my niece of the same age who lives and goes to school in Nairobi, will cost. Are we to say that a Constitution that promises and can deliver equal opportunities to all Kenyans is too much for us to undertake? Let us by all means confront corruption, mismanagement and wastage. Let us uphold prudent management. But let us not fall into the trap of reverting to stagnationin development and to an obscenely unequal society by accepting the ruse that this constitution is too expensive. In the end, inequality and developmental retardation will be far more expensive for us as a nation Be blessed as we thank God for the gift of rain! Situ njema!
Posted on: Wed, 19 Mar 2014 07:59:10 +0000