Why We Need To Soberly Vote For Deserving Gubernatorial Leadership on 4th March 2013

By Mwangi Wanjumbi – Newtimes B. S. Chief Consultant/Trainer

In June 2007, I wrote an article which was published in the management journal of KIM. In this piece, I was mournful of the challenges our nation and organizations were going through, courtesy of deteriorated value systems. I elaborated on the moral decadence and impunity experienced in the early Egyptian civilization, until finally collapsing. Our own nation was seemingly going through turbulent times as well. About 6 months thereafter, we experienced elections whose results and aftermath are better forgotten in a hurry.

Having this in perspective, we need to realize that the conclusion of a free, fair, credible and therefore democratic election is imperative. Indeed, March 4th 2013 marks the end of one chapter of our country and the beginning of a completely new era. In fact, devolution of our state into 47 county governments takes shape on March 5th 2013. More importantly, the successful implementation of this devolution process, in the subsequent 3 years squarely lies in the hands of mwananchi. Why? They will be fully responsible for putting the county governance into office.

That is the conclusion anyone could have made upon listening to Charles Nyachae, the Chairman of the Constitution Implementation Commission of Kenya, at a management forum in Mid-February 2013. This veteran lawyer and his team have had the arduous task of ensuring that everything goes according to the wishes of Kenyans. They resolutely expressed themselves through the new constitution that was promulgated on 27th August 2010. Has all been smooth?

Incidentally, there was nothing wrong with the previous constitution. That is according to Nyachae, who gathered this from the late Hon Martin Shikuku, one of the architects of the Independence constitution. Unfortunately, this earlier document never had any self protection mechanisms. That is why the political order was able to dismember it, until losing its original form.

In that light, the mandate of Nyachae is to make certain that the new constitution does not suffer the same fate. Luckily, it is this time self propelling and preserving with respect to the timelines and necessary structures, most of which have now been put into place.

Alongside, the attentive listeners were re-assured of the preparedness of the Independent Elections and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) towards ensuring a free, fair, credible and therefore democratic election. One of the main safeguards is full employment of the biometric voter kit, as indicated by Mr. Wilson Shollei, the deputy CEO of IEBC.

The same was used for the voter registration system, the information of which will be used in the election proper.  This system ensures that only registered voters will cast their votes. It therefore eliminates duplication, staffing of ballots and participation of dead voters in the electoral process. To crown it, all the results will be relayed electronically especially using mobile technology. This situation will provisionally enable us to know our president elect and other positions within 24 hours since end of voting process.

Meanwhile, let us not underestimate the impact of the gubernatorial election results, even as we ponder on the overall expectations.  Most likely, these positions carry more weight than the presidential elections. As noted previously, the future president has his powers already shared amongst numerous institutions, some of which have constitutionally and specifically been set up for the purpose.

More still, the management/leadership of the institutions will largely be under personalities that will be cleared through vetting. That will be on the basis of their integrity and leadership qualities as governed by chapter 6 of our current constitution.  Obviously, the political order as is well known, worked overdrive to ensure that they can’t be subjected to the same standards, as set out in the said constitutional provisions.

This means that the governors, who will essentially be executives of our county governments, will not have undergone any vetting despite the massive powers. Imagine, they will be managing huge components of the national management. More still, the same were hitherto inexistent. Therefore, there has been no previous experience or even national case studies to fall back on.

Pressed by the undersigned on the dilution of the intentions of the chapter 6 on leadership and ethics, Nyachae intimated that Kenyans have two alternatives. Firstly, they can go to the courts if it is felt that the governors and others do not meet the leadership and ethics threshold that is expected of their positions.  Alternatively, it is the voters who know their leaders’ conduct best and are therefore well placed to either elect them into office or reject them all the same.

On the other hand, Shollei insinuated that before clearance by the IEBC, the candidates filled and committed themselves by signing some leadership and integrity questionnaires. The same can be retrieved as and when desired. Interesting; isn’t it?

Actually, it is difficult to fathom how these measures will transform of some of our politicians. Incidentally, some are still adapting to changed realities in a transformed nation, yet they may find themselves at the helm of leadership as county governors. Somehow, we can only hope that the measures will suffice and at the same time provide deterrence where necessary. Why?

According to Nyachae, failure of county governance could be a major blow to the intended devolution process. That is why we should all put our emotions aside, sober up and elect only deserving men and women into the governance of the 47 counties.

Ideally, that will be one great stride towards the implementation of one of the most important phases of our constitution. Come March 4th 2013 then, shall we all sober up and do exactly what we are supposed to? Actually, we can’t afford to do otherwise.

(Welcome for more STRUCTURED learning on this subject In our Business Leadership and Performance Management Training as well as Strategic Leadership & Management Workshops. Meanwhile, please note that personal and team assessment tips/guides on desirable re-alignment strategies, are now incorporated into all our training programs. This is in realization that people will inevitably unleash their potential only when work becomes fun.  (For guidance see Calendar and Training Plans attached)

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