Alphonce SHIUNDU

"The challenge of being employed, in my perspective, is that it is a cage. It is cyclic; you get a hang of what it is that you need to do. And what you need to achieve, it becomes comfortable, a routine you whine about, but yet too afraid to leave. I guess those who really live life, are the ones who dare to do the things we all dream about. I have been thinking a lot lately about skydiving and learning the Argentinean Tango."-- Rose Ondeng Sorry for the intermittent postings over the past two months. I have been on leave. But now, the hiatus is over and I am right back. For some reason, after the promulgation frenzy, I just went off newspapers and stuck to the good old radio and, sometimes, TV. But it is sad that when I read the newspaper, after all that time, it’s like the politics hasn’t changed. It all sounds “background” to me. It is stuck right where I left it: the politics of who sit in what committee; the International Criminal Court and Kenya’s Government stand-off; ...

“Look at the Constitution. Read it. And then look at the people asking you to vote for it. Then ask yourself: What’s the worst that it can come to (in its implementation)? If you trust the letter and the spirit, vote ‘Yes’, if you trust the spirit but not the letter, vote ‘No’ ” –Talkshow Guest, (was it Charles Kanjama or Chris Foot, one of the two). The controversy over the provincial administration has the media and politicians talking at each other. The debate is unwarranted. IMHO, it is just politics. The Constitution is very clear at the Sixth Schedule (17): “Within five years after the effective date, the national government shall restructure the system of administration commonly known as the provincial administration to accord with and respect the system of devolved government established under this Constitution.” I find it stupid for some MPs and journalists too, to argue that this role does not lie with the folks at Harambee House. Seriously, I think it does. Or what do yo...

Well, it is September and people are wondering if the MPs will pay tax on their allowances beginning this month. On my part, I don't think they will. But I could be wrong. Indulge me. According to the MPs, section 210 (3) of the new Constitution, is explicit that they should pay tax. But they argue that doing so will be taking away a right that they already enjoy. On the other hand, the Sixth Schedule extends the powers of the Parliamentary Service Commission and its mandate to set the lawmakers’ pay package, so constitutionally, MPs are not barred from seeking more money from the Treasury. It is a question of morality. Still, the new Constitution favours MPs at 259(1), which directs that the Constitution shall be interpreted in a manner that “advances the rule of law, the human rights and fundamental freedoms in the Bill of Rights; permits the development of the law and contributes to good governance.” If the legislative, representation and oversight mandate of the MPs is looked a...