MAJIMBO AND MULTIPARTY DEMOCRACY A SIAMESE TWIN

By John Cheruiyot
The arch opponents of Majimbo namely Mwai Kibaki, Daniel Moi, Simeon Nyachae and Koigi WaMwere have all dismissed Majimbo as irrelevant and inapplicable in Kenya.They argue that Majimbo would put the nation asunder by igniting tribal wars and absolute tribalism. These key opponents argue that Majimbo died naturally in the 1960s.

It should be noted that both Majimbo and multiparty were abolished in the 1960s.Multiparty democracy died in 1964 when Moi and Kadu diehards crossed over from the opposition to Kanu-then the ruling party. It should further be noted that Majombo was abolished in 1967 when bicameral parliament was abolished in favor of parliament without senate. It should be note that multiparty democracy was abolished in 1983 through the enactment of section 2A,which was proposed by Charles Njonjo and seconded by Mwai Kibaki making Moi era a one party democracy and a dictatorship.

It was in the second liberation in 1992 that multiparty democracy was operationaizedThose who opposed multiparty democracy are the very same ones who today oppose Majimbo system of government. They use the same logic and reasons to rubbish federal dispensation. They reason that Majimbo will ignite tribal clashes and tribal wars. They reason that Majimbo will bring down the economy by balkanization of the country.

Indeed the third and the final liberation in Kenya will be marked by the operationalization of federal system in a nation that has remain backward for 44 years and held hostage by absolute centralization which is both colonial and retrogressive.

All the leading economies and democracies are both federal and multiparty. If Kenya maintained her initial federal and multiparty dispensation in 1963 to date this country would truly be a tiger of Africa.
Nations that are both federal and Majimbo and multiparty include the unpopular superpower-the US, Germany, Switzerland, Canada, Australia, India, Brazil, South Africa, Nigeria among others.
In the US they have over 50 governors in charge of the over 50 states. The same is true for India, Germany and Switzerland. Are the Majimbo and multiparty nations of the world tribal and regional cocoons? Are there tribal wars in India, Brazil, US, Belgium and other Majimbo nations?

Today Kenya is more tribal and more balkanized politically and economically. The water ministry for example awarded Nyeri district over 800million shillings for water projects giving only 4million to North Eastern an ASAL region that needed and still needs more water projects than any region in the land.
Current centralized system has marginalized communities and regions for the last 44 years of Kenya’s independence.

Tribalism is real today than any time in Kenya’s history. The cure of marginalization and tribalism hinges in operalization of both multiparty democracy and Majiimbo dispensation.The arguments of anti Majimbo opponents are thus hollow and have no merit.If each of the eight regions of Kenya had their regional governments under regional leadership Kenya would be a success story. The government of North Eastern would have given priority projects that promote their economic and social development. North Eastern would today be having her universities, her research institutions, her industries and her airports. North Eastern is endowed with massive natural resources which have been untapped and unexplored in the last 44 years. North Eastern with better climatic conditions than Botswana and Egypt would today be an economic powerhouse if Kenya adopted Majimbo and particularly the Lancaster House Constitution of 1963.

Nyanza on the other hand endowed with excellent climate would to date be Kenya’s center of textile and garment manufacturing hub. Kenya today would be a world class export of garments like China, India and Taiwan.The same would apply for Western and Coast.Majimbo is not a monster but a liberator and a piston of national economic engine.Current Kenya GDP of $15billion is a prove that the old order that was ushered into the nation in 1963 has become irrelevant and impotent. Besides Kenya people who authored the BOMAS draft revived the idea of Majimbo it is not the ODM leadership that demands the Majimbo dispensation. It is the people of Kenya who have been oppressed by subsequent Mafia’s since independence. The Kiambu mafia, the Rift Valley and now the Mt.Kenya mafia first oppressed them.

The ever rising popularity of Raila and ODM is merely the pursuit of the peoples’ aspirations and ideals.
The centralized system has over the last 44 years created a superrich minority wallowing in affluence when poverty and absolute penury ravage the masses.All who now support PNU are the superrich who have benefited a lot from current oppressive system in place. They fear that their fortunes would be dashed by the emergence of new players.

They are panicky for nothing. Marimba does not cause forced migrations as argued by the opponents.
South Africa is a classic example. They white community are still at home in South Africa than in any other nation. What Majimbo does is to empower regions to manage and exploit their resources. It will help make regions and communities be part of the army fighting against poverty.Indeed 2007 general election will usher into the nation a third final liberation.

Kenyans today than ever before are determined to embrace both Majimbo and multiparty democracy.
What is a fact in Majimbo dispensation is:Rift Valley state will be under Kamatusa.North Eastern will be under Cushites, Coast under Mijikenda,Centreal under Kikuyu,Eastern under Kamba and Gema.,Western under Luhya and Nyanza under Luo-Kisii leadership. What is wrong with that?Each region and each community will have a part and a role to play. Kenya will become a multiethnic and multiracial nation it really is. Each community will for the first time feels and enjoy being part of a great nation.

In the US for example diversity is cherished and Americans are proud to be German American, Asian American, Arab American, French American, African American-Americans are proud of their diversity. The contrary is true in Kenya.Kenyans are ashamed of being Luo Kenyan, Kalenjin Kenyan, Luhya Kenyan, Mijikenda Kenyan, Kisii Kenyan, Arab Kenyan-why this scenario?The old guards who dismantled Majimbo and multiparty democracy in post independent Kenya demonized national diversity. Being a Luo or Kalenjin,or Kikuyu or a Luhya or Mijikenda is both sinful and primitive.

This deception has demolished Kenya’s creative genius. The old guards have made it sin to demand for Majimbo.Indeed Majimbo will make Kenya a great and a stable economy the way India’s and Germany have become. The popularity of Raila is a sign that Kenyans want both Majimbo and multiparty democracy. They are as vital and necessary as two eyes, two legs, two nostrils, two ears, two eyes and two hands to every human being man or a woman or a child with one leg or one eye or one hand does not enjoy maximum joy of physically mobility. Kenya without Majimbo and multiparty has been a cripple and a real disabled nation.

The Steadman Poll that put Raila at 53% followed by Kibaki at 37% is not some figment of imagination. It is the reality on the ground. Kenyans want real change and a real tsunami at that.Demonization of Majimbo will not deter Kenyans from embracing it with passion and fanatism.The Kalenjin of Rift Valley do not share Moi’s demonization of both ODM and Majimbo, on the contrary all the communities of Rift Valley see Moi’s views as personal but not theirs. It is reflected in Steadman Poll, which put Kalenjin who support Raila at 76% and only 13% supporting Kibaki.
Majimbo is an idea whose time is now!
 
Source: Kalenjin online