Ballot paperWhereas some Kenyans have expressed their aspirations to seek elective offices, such as to be the president, governor, senator, or members of the national or county assemblies, there seems to be very little debate about what is needed to vet those who are seeking these offices. The Chapter on Leadership and Integrity, read together with the Chapter on Representation of the People, gives fair but firm principles, which we could rely on to vet all candidates. This should be done from national to county levels. We propose that before anyone appears on the ballot paper, they present the following 10 certificates or letters of clearance to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

 

THE KENYA HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION TRIBUTE TO PROF. WANGARI MAATHAI

OCTOBER 8, 2011

A lot has been said about the exploits of the Late Prof. Wangari Maathai and we shall not repeat it here. As the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), we pay our tribute to this great woman by upholding what she stood for and was ready to die for.

The Story of Kenya in the New Era

Since the promulgation of the new Constitution of Kenya (2010), many narratives are going on and they are very interesting. The first narrative is about those who dared oppose the new order. In this new Kenya, strangely, they have space to do what they want. How about the Church exercising their freedoms and even opposing those who wear earrings or even to writing how the new Constitution ought to be implemented in the spirit of common good? How about Okiya Omtatah (so-called ‘human rights activist’) chaining the office of the Ministry of Education and even writing commentaries about the importance of constitutionalism in the new era? When one sees this narrative, it is worth noting that what they opposed vehemently has now made sense to them in the new era.

The date for the National Referendum on the Proposed Constitution Kenya (PCK) is on 4th August 2010; and it is approaching very fast. The ‘greens’ (those in favour) and the ‘reds’ (those opposed to) are busy campaigning. They are even breaking the law by campaigning ahead of the day provided for by the Constitution of Kenya Review Act. Already, there is friction between and within both ‘camps’. In the midst of this, everyone is angling themselves to either get into power or stay in power come the next elections.

In the last few weeks, a lot of time has been taken debating on the RIGHT TO LIFE. Many have stated that termination of pregnancy (read abortion) must not be allowed. And if allowed, the Catholics and other Christian faithful will organize to vote NO at the upcoming referendum. No doubt, it is erroneous to terminate life. And the Word of God is clear in the Sixth of the Ten Commandments that reads: thou shall not kill. Indeed, the Roman Catholic Church uses the translation ‘kill’ (less specific and more inclusive) instead of ‘murder’, as seen in the Torah or the initial Ten Commandments. There is controversy as to which translation is more faithful (‘killing’ or ‘murder’), and both forms are quoted in support of many opposing ethical standpoints.