BAPTISM BY FIRE AS PROFESSOR MAKAU MUTUAÂ WARNS AGAINST SUPPORT FORÂ TWO CENTRES OF POWER.Â
Gordon
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Kenya: Coalition Must Forge National Identity
The Nation (Nairobi)
OPINION
2 March 2008
Makau Mutua
Nairobi
Any keen student of Kenyan politics instinctively knows that the power-sharing agreement struck this week between President Mwai Kibaki and Mr Raila Odinga is not a magic wand. It is only the proverbial first step in what promises to be a gruelling marathon for national recovery.
But even sceptics must acknowledge that the compact represents the first ray of real hope in the long dark tunnel that ordinary Kenyans have faced since the fateful elections last December 27.
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Even so, it would be naïve to believe that the worst is over. The bitter truth is that the full implementation of the pact – and the co-existence of President Kibaki and Mr Odinga within two centres of power in one state – is bound to be the most trying spectacle yet.
It is not a secret that I have publicly opposed a premiership in the past. Yet, in the last several months, I have called for the office as a temporary measure and a means to fundamental constitutional, economic and social reforms. In this instrumentalist construction, the premiership cannot be seen as a resolution of state tyranny or the imperial presidency.
For the full article, please see http://allafrica.com/stories/200803030836.html
Thank you proff.
I feel that your statements now and in the past reflect the real thing that is going on the ground.Your comments comes from a weaned mind and this is what Kenya needed yesterday.Two centres of power yeah but only interim; let us have the real thing through a referandum.I tank God for Annan.
Ken.
Comments by Prof that the recent accord should only serve as an interim measure dont come as a surprise since he has been a regular critique of Raila Odinga.
The good professor talks aboot fundamental changes to the constitution,forgetting that this is one of the fundamental changes that Kenyans required in the Bomas draft.
What Kenyans nedd now is for the Bomas draft to be subjected to a referendum after the overhaul of the ECK since the Kilifi draft was rejected.
Just to remind Professor,Kenyans rejection of Kilifi draft was an indication that they wanted two centre of power as envisaged in the Bomas draft.
Regds
Nixon
Please read this extract from Nation:
http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=1&newsid=118534
It is sad to read how MPs reason. It is barely 1 week since parliament was re-opened and the crucial bills have not been debated yet and bickering has began with people lobbying for positions and who should get what and why. This is the type of selfishness that Kenyans are tired of. We need to put these MPs in check. Ministerial positions should not be based on illogical criteria. Representation of Kenyan Image in Cabinet is essential. No community must be left out in thid Grand Coalition Government. President Kibaki should facilitate the smootheness of this transition by dissolving the current cabinet first. New appointments must be made with interests of Kenya in mind.
Is hard to take Prof. Mutua seriously. He was one of the apologists who was rushed out after Kibaki stole the election to spread the PANUA propaganda. He has lobbied long and hard to be on the Truth Commission and it seems he is back to it, now he accepts PM position yet they are the people who killed BOMAS. There is nothing particularly illuminating he is saying that you can not find in the myriad Kenyan forums.
It must really “kill” him that Tinga has the PM position, in his own words Raila”…must be stopped” at all cost. [See Raila bio. book]
We have no time for intellectual merceneries – a role he has played valiantly.