Kenyans are yearning for democratic governance that can correct the mistakes of the past and redirect the society on to a sustainable democracy.

The tragedy of our political leadership is the difference between managers and leaders. Our politicians, like managers, in any given situation work on things “as is” as opposed to the latter “what it ought to be”. They are adept at managing rather than providing leadership.

F or example, if the problem is tribalism, politicians will expediently solve it by strategic appointments of tribal kingpins as opposed to inspiring people into rational thinking which transcends negative social divides. Otherwise, how does one explain the tribal matrix at the top of all political parties in Kenya?

In the wake of the recent general election debacle, it would have helped for political parties to endeavor in their national party elections to respect basic universal democratic principles and practices in order to contribute to the general democratization of the society.

In a democracy, a political party’s philosophy and conduct is guided by democratic impulses such as affirmative action. Therefore, disenfranchisement of women and young people from the political party top leadership raises questions as to whether the parties are democratic and whether there can be democracy in a country without democrats.

In 2012, will they still parade women and youth like freebies in their political rallies? What is it with our political parties’ fear of internal democracy? When are we going see serious political party nomination campaign substance multiparty democracy is made up of?

Even with the advent of the new political parties’ law, are our political parties going to remain machinery for acquisition, trading and retention of power by certain individuals? When will the citizens of this country enjoy their liberty to free competition of state power?

Considering that political parties are governments in waiting; how do we reconcile their undemocratic conduct of party affairs with our hope for democratic governments?

It appears to me that if Kenyans are ever to satisfy the yearn for democracy; it is upon them as citizens and in particular as party members to compel political parties to become instruments of democratization.

George Nyongesa

Bunge la Mwananchi+254 720 451 2

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Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2008 21:20:03 -0800 [12/22/2008 11:20:03 PM CST]
From: George Nyongesa
Subject: What is it with our political parties’ fear for internal democracy?