Post by Dosline Kiguru on Sept 30, 2005 22:21:59 GMT 3
Constitution is not a Govt project
The controversy about the use of public resources by the government especially for the referendum campaigns should not arise.
Everyone knows that the constitution is not a government project, but a project for the people of Kenya. The fact that some government ministers support the Draft does not give it the authority to spend public money.
As a tax payer and on behalf of all the other tax payers country wide, I feel disappointed with the Kibaki government because it does not respect the rights of the people who elected it.
Though there are those who are for the proposed draft, it is true there are still those Kenyans who are against it and it is not fair to use the taxes only to campaign for ‘Yes’ vote. Kibaki should understand that each Kenyan has an equal right to vote for what he/she wants in the new constitution.
Though the 26 diplomats who on Wednesday warned the government against inappropriate use of public resources are not citizens and we may say they have no right in urging the government what it should and should not do, there is logic behind what they say.
The group which included key donors were right. Spending public funds for personal gain can be compared to abuse of office which is equally a serious crime.
The minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Kiraitu Murungi should know that the constitution does not belong to the government as he puts it. It is for the people of Kenya and if the public money has to be used, then let it be shared equally among the supporters and the non-supporters of the Draft.
The likes of the ministers Kalonzo Musyoka, Najib Balala, Raila Odinga, Ole Ntimama and others in the government who are against the Draft should not be considered any less Kenyans and should therefore be given equal rights to use the money.
Further more the more money is poured to the people to intimidate them to vote for the Draft, the greater the rift is created between the people. The ‘No’ or ‘Yes’ vote campaign may soon divide Kenyans into tribal camps, which is not healthy for a growing nation.
Already scores of people have been injured during the campaigns, which first started in Garrisa during the first ‘Yes’ vote rally where the residents fought against each.
In Thika, during a ‘No’ vote campaign rally, the same thing happened. This time it was alleged that supporters of the draft had been paid to create chaos.
Actually there is no need for these campaigns.
Dosline Kiguru,
Nairobi
The controversy about the use of public resources by the government especially for the referendum campaigns should not arise.
Everyone knows that the constitution is not a government project, but a project for the people of Kenya. The fact that some government ministers support the Draft does not give it the authority to spend public money.
As a tax payer and on behalf of all the other tax payers country wide, I feel disappointed with the Kibaki government because it does not respect the rights of the people who elected it.
Though there are those who are for the proposed draft, it is true there are still those Kenyans who are against it and it is not fair to use the taxes only to campaign for ‘Yes’ vote. Kibaki should understand that each Kenyan has an equal right to vote for what he/she wants in the new constitution.
Though the 26 diplomats who on Wednesday warned the government against inappropriate use of public resources are not citizens and we may say they have no right in urging the government what it should and should not do, there is logic behind what they say.
The group which included key donors were right. Spending public funds for personal gain can be compared to abuse of office which is equally a serious crime.
The minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Kiraitu Murungi should know that the constitution does not belong to the government as he puts it. It is for the people of Kenya and if the public money has to be used, then let it be shared equally among the supporters and the non-supporters of the Draft.
The likes of the ministers Kalonzo Musyoka, Najib Balala, Raila Odinga, Ole Ntimama and others in the government who are against the Draft should not be considered any less Kenyans and should therefore be given equal rights to use the money.
Further more the more money is poured to the people to intimidate them to vote for the Draft, the greater the rift is created between the people. The ‘No’ or ‘Yes’ vote campaign may soon divide Kenyans into tribal camps, which is not healthy for a growing nation.
Already scores of people have been injured during the campaigns, which first started in Garrisa during the first ‘Yes’ vote rally where the residents fought against each.
In Thika, during a ‘No’ vote campaign rally, the same thing happened. This time it was alleged that supporters of the draft had been paid to create chaos.
Actually there is no need for these campaigns.
Dosline Kiguru,
Nairobi