Also published in the last few hours: Speaker Marende's smart parliamentary coupI do not mind admitting stuff. I wrote a post but liked this comment from one of our readers much better and it is my conviction that it deserves wider distribution and thus readership. And that is the reason I have upgraded it to a main post. ENJOY!!
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This Speaker is a silent genius. Marende's was more than a parliamentary ruling.
In his hour-long ruling, he adeptly and preemptively made his own interpretation of the constitution vis a vis NARA Accord probably well aware that PNU were soon going to be rushing to courts seeking constitutional interpretation of the same.
Marende's ruling was of superior legal and political quality - very comprehensive and incorporating the realities of the day in Kenya. A classic ruling that has so far received accolades from top constitutional experts besides widespread public support.
Now challenge that!!!!!
This was the greatest move in public relations and advance persuation that I've seen in such a long time in Kenya.
Marende was giving all and sundry his own top notch constitutional interpretation of the very question Kalonzo Musyoka has announced PNU will be rushing to courts to seek an answer.
Marende tayari amelijibu hilo swala.
And in doing so, he has already convinced many that the constitution cannot be read in isolation from NARA. the good 'ol constitution is no more. The days of absolute Imperial Presidency are basically history.
It's an era of consultations and power sharing - at least in the life of this coalition. Marende amesema, waKenya wamekubali.
Marende was thrice clever just for the record and precedent - he has explicitly addressed the question of what happens when there's inconsistency between the constitution and NARA - and that is - NARA supersedes.
People like Michuki and Kalonzo who are blind on NARA need to listen to that wise counsel- all Kalonzo and Michuki see is an imperial presidency which they die to preserve and the old constitution that Kenyans die to reform...these PNU sycophants never see NARA as part of the constitution.
Then few other interesting observations.
Karua has welcomed Marende's ruling and she will be sitting in the HBC. Yaani, she doesn't insist that Kalonzo must be the HBC Chair/LGB. Tells me she doesn't really regard Kalonzo worthy of leading her. Haya! remember the reformers vs anti-reformers debate?
Did anyone read what PNU's Saitoti said? He actually welcomed Marende's ruling! unlike his PNU-mates Kalonzo and few others. Of course Saitoti also bubbled a few other words to the effect that whoever appoints the LGB still needs to be resolved. But at the moment - he's game with Marende, essentially telling Kalonzo to chill out and keep off the HBC Chair/LGB seat.
Aint that some doggonit something!!!!!
Someone tells me George Saitoti was seen yesterday at Lunch time with none other than PM Raila Odinga munching steak and ugali at Serena Hotel - this was reported in the papers too. haya!
Did someone swallow a
tinga tinga like KANU jogoo did?
It is clear Kalonzo is being elbowed by Saitoti and Karua already even as Kibaki continues using him (Kalonzo) as toilet paper to wipe the big 'ol doggonit.
Let Kalonzo keep making a fool of himself...wiping Kibaki's mess...the same script followed by wakina Nyachae, Kombo, Awori, Mukhisa and other Kibaki sycophants of yesterday.
By the time they came back to voters, they were stinking nasty..and people were running away from them.
If you choose to be Kibaki's snake oil salesman, beware Kenyans pay back on you fast and furious.
I'm also reading today that ODM's Andrew Ligale has been appointed the new boss of the Boundaries Review Commission.
Anyway back to the crucial issue left pending by Marende.
He asked the two principals to consult.
Here is the interesting thing.
That consultation this time can NEVER EVER AGAIN be at a closed door room in Sagana between two individuals called Raila and Kibaki.
This time it will be a broad daylight PNU-ODM consultation through the CMC (Coalition Management Committee)....each and everytime any consultation is required.
Kibaki had better be ready to get busy working and consulting and not just sleeping and eating mutura and slaps at State House.
We shall only deal with Kibaki this time formally - with a pole called CMC.
No more informal agreements to be soon discarded by the perennial conman and thief. This belligerent half incapacitated man has held the country hostage for so long.
Ashindwe kabisa!
ODM has already learnt the hard way talking to Kibaki who then orders Muthaura and Kalonzo to contradict the PM. Can the nation go through such nonsense anymore? They have said NO. ENOUGH!
and the PM himself has said so - no more talk with Kibaki informally, only formal consultations through the CMC.
And many things will soon be consulted about. Everything literally will be consulted. This is what Kibaki wanted when he trashed goodwill, let the formal consultations now take root.
I hope Muthaura and Mutua are reading these developments keenly.
It is not business as usual
tena.
Haya twende!I close with these remarks below quoted from a wise unassuming man currently Speaker of Kenya's National Assembly - whom I've previously shared a bite of
mbuzi and kanywaji with here in Washington DC.
“An accord was painstakingly negotiated as the country waited with bated breath… these words were uttered before the whole world. Do they mean anything? Do the signatories to them intend them to mean anything?”Kenneth Otiato MarendeWith that I say - adios for now!