De – Mock – racy

The referendum came, went and Kenya emerged on the other side with a much leaner government (LOL). I can’t help wondering how much we have saved in the last week with these Minister posts empty. The fuel, the allowances, the salaries… it must be staggering. I actually tend to think that if we last one more month without ministers, then Kenya might be the first country in Africa with a budget surplus (LOL).

Kudos to Kenyans for turning up, voting and resisting the urge to pummel the other side, who were too stupid to read the constitution and voted on tribal lines (LOL). To the irresponsible media and local busy bodies who had predicted doom all I can say is, HA!

Democracy has been described by some as the mob mentality that usurps God’s right to appoint Kings (LOL). The wikipedia (the web dictionary) says Democracy in its ideal sense is the notion that the people should have the right to lead themselves.

This brings me to certain MPs who voted contrary to their constituencies. An MP is also a Kenyan (unfortunately) and he/she is entitled to an opinion. However, I believe, once you become a member of parliament, you forfeit your personal opinions and you are now nothing but a vessel to transmit to parliament the wishes of your constituents. That is the only reason the parliament can also be referred to as the House of Representatives. If we allowed ourselves to elect people who go to parliament then vote on issues according to their wishes then the parliament should be referred to as the House of pontificating bastards.

The problem with our MPs is that they believe that Democracy is about doing what they think is right. No doubt as an MP you have the right to try and convince your constituents that a particular course of action is best for them but if they rebuff you, then the onus is on you to fulfill their wishes. This is what is meant by leaders actually being servants.

I watched Showdown on the Wednesday after the referendum and I was appalled at Mirugi Kariuki’s attempts to trivialize a very disturbing trend that the referendum has brought to light. If you as an MP took a public position that has turned out to be contrary to the opinion held by your constituents, then I believe that you must seek a fresh mandate because you are clearly not representing them and this applies to both sides.

If I elect you to parliament, I expect you to go there and reflect my wishes. I do not care if you are a Nobel laureate, a holder of a PhD in economics or a Doctor. If we as constituents tell you that female circumcision is an age old and treasured tradition, then I expect your candy ass to go parliament and say so. If you cannot, quit.