The debate over the allocation of land to alleged squatters in Mau Forest has once more exposed an imbalance in leadership between politicians and policy makers.
It is ironical many who benefited from the Nyayo regime forest allocation were civil servants, although some have since disowned the claim. It is not clear whether the allocation to senior civil servants was a token for their hard work or a bribe.
Whatever the case, it is apparent the mighty names in the report did not deserve the land meant for squatters. These were men and women of ability.
But how did the scam go unchallenged within the ranks of experts in Government?
Though the boundary between politicians and the executive is thin in terms of providing services, it is the latter that is assumed to hold expert knowledge and guide politicians in policy matters. Whereas politicians derive their mandate from the citizens, the executive authority must never follow the path of the politicians, but be guided by their expert knowledge.
The public service has been seen as lacking independence because appointment of key officers is never based on merit. Special interest supersedes qualifications.
Once engaged, they operate under fear and influence resulting into poor judgement. It is an admission that justice is often sold to the highest bidder.
Parliament has exceeded its mandate by entrusting the MPs with power beyond their call of duty. It is this excessive power that they use to demean the position of the unelected public officers, leading to lack of morale and poor services.
Today, civil servants have lost control of management of events in their stations. How can politicians develop policies and implement them at the same time? Ours is a lopsided democracy that has usurped other arms of governance, resulting in parliamentary dictatorship. Can directives from above be ignored by civil servants?
The position of any public service office holder is well defined. Policy interpretation and implementation must not be in conflict with the Constitution. When there is a breach of the Constitution, it is the responsibility of the technocrats (civil servants) to bear the burden of advising the elected office holders.
The Mau issue should not have happened in the first place, had technocrats from the Ministry of Lands failed to bow to demands of an individual against the impending consequences.
However, citing intimidation, civil servants often make decisions in haste, ignoring their implications. They are decisions that disregard the public, who bear the brunt of taxes.
This was evident when Mr Samuel Kivuitu and his disgraced Electoral Commission failed to act in accordance with the law, making hasty judgement under political dures. This plunged the nation into unrest.
Had he employed correct judgement, Kenya could have taken a different path. It is therefore important for public office holders to be firm, abide by the law and place public interest ahead of their personal gains.
Action that violates the law of the land is punishable irrespective of the voice of command, particularly when they trample the common good.
{Patrick opondi,Wasio, Migori}
http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/letters/InsidePage.php?id=1144021384&cid=17&
Welcome To Migori,Kenya
"I sincerely thank you for the time you have taken to view this site. You are part of the many we count on their support to help us build and lift the living standard of our people.You may be asking aloud what role you could play to fully participate. As a people, we are faced with arrays of issues, some of which we have struggled to solve. Many others seem to be weighing down the spirits of our people and require greater involvement of the government, donors, partners, friends and well-wishers.We need clean water.
Our people still drink contaminated water from streams and they walk long distances in search of water. Waterborne diseases have continuously ravaged us, killing many silently. With adequate funding, we could sink more boreholes in homes, schools, and in central places to ease the crisis as well as provide people with clean water for domestic use.
One of the challenges of the 21st century is illiteracy.
Most rural schools in Kenya are poorly equipped and Migori is no exception. Over the years, the government has abdicated their role to build schools and provide learning materials to schools. With most families living below $1 a day, the pressing issue is to feed the family and meet other basic needs. Our children are attending school on empty stomachs, in dilapidated structures and without required texts. If we were to compete and create great scholars for the future, the challenges facing our young learners ought to be addressed now than later. This is where we bank on your support. Your generosity will help buy books, build schools and even pay fees for children from the underprivileged families. Remember, it is never too late to mobilize your friends, community, your congregation and even employees to help us in this noble course.
Your network is an asset to us.To date we are overwhelmed by the increasing number of orphans, many left to fend for themselves at an early age. Over the years, the community has given foster support to the orphans. Churches and influential people within the community have provided generously to help the kids. But today we live in hard times and the support for orphaned kids continue to dwindle. Their future is bleak and some may never see the inside of a classroom. Soon they will turn to criminals and targets of traffickers. Like other children they cry for support, comfort and love. I count on your feeling and love and your ability to extend a helping hand to the underprivileged.
Be blessed for your your willingness to help.I appeal to you, your friends and people known to you to join hands with me to provide hope to the poor, the sick and orphans.
As you reflect on the many possible ways to help, also feel free to introduce many more to us. Introduce your friends, charitable organizations, corporations. We count on them to move forward as we exetend your generosity to the needy.May the good lord bless your hands for being a cheerful giver. Thank you"
Our people still drink contaminated water from streams and they walk long distances in search of water. Waterborne diseases have continuously ravaged us, killing many silently. With adequate funding, we could sink more boreholes in homes, schools, and in central places to ease the crisis as well as provide people with clean water for domestic use.
One of the challenges of the 21st century is illiteracy.
Most rural schools in Kenya are poorly equipped and Migori is no exception. Over the years, the government has abdicated their role to build schools and provide learning materials to schools. With most families living below $1 a day, the pressing issue is to feed the family and meet other basic needs. Our children are attending school on empty stomachs, in dilapidated structures and without required texts. If we were to compete and create great scholars for the future, the challenges facing our young learners ought to be addressed now than later. This is where we bank on your support. Your generosity will help buy books, build schools and even pay fees for children from the underprivileged families. Remember, it is never too late to mobilize your friends, community, your congregation and even employees to help us in this noble course.
Your network is an asset to us.To date we are overwhelmed by the increasing number of orphans, many left to fend for themselves at an early age. Over the years, the community has given foster support to the orphans. Churches and influential people within the community have provided generously to help the kids. But today we live in hard times and the support for orphaned kids continue to dwindle. Their future is bleak and some may never see the inside of a classroom. Soon they will turn to criminals and targets of traffickers. Like other children they cry for support, comfort and love. I count on your feeling and love and your ability to extend a helping hand to the underprivileged.
Be blessed for your your willingness to help.I appeal to you, your friends and people known to you to join hands with me to provide hope to the poor, the sick and orphans.
As you reflect on the many possible ways to help, also feel free to introduce many more to us. Introduce your friends, charitable organizations, corporations. We count on them to move forward as we exetend your generosity to the needy.May the good lord bless your hands for being a cheerful giver. Thank you"
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
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