Commentary (by Nation Team) - City councillors have done Kenya proud

Ref: http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=24&newsid=117813


Publication Date: 2/28/2008

Nairobi’s mayoral election had threatened to degenerate into chaos after a stand-off occasioned by a tie between the two contenders. But a last-minute power-sharing deal saved the council, the city and the country at large the misfortune of another long-raging power struggle.

Indeed, for the first time in a long while, civic authorities disapproved critics. Contrary to the long-held views, councillors can reason together and amicably resolve their conflicts. They showed the nation that where there is a will, there is a way.

They agreed to share ‘‘power’’ equally, with ODM taking the mayoral seat while the deputy’s went to PNU. The same formula was applied to all the other elections positions – chairpersons and deputies of the various committees.

When the councillors finally gave in to reason and concluded the elections, they gave the city residents hope that here is a council that has resolved to break the imaginary barriers brought about through party affiliations.

And with that, the residents expect that the councillors will work harmoniously to deliver the services the city badly needs.

Coming at a time when the country is so battered, traumatised and exasperated with the long-dragging mediation talks to end the political stalemate over the disputed presidential election, what the councillors did gave a fresh breath of hope to Kenyans.

The message is that this country needs people who can step back, look straight at the challenge before them, and make a sober decision that heals and unites.

This is the example that we want to put before the protagonists in the presidential poll impasse. They have failed to conceptualise the magnitude of the problem that their procrastination is causing this nation, the region and the international community.

They have failed to consult their conscience, and to give reason a chance. Instead, they have let their egos and false sense of self-worth and power blind their views.

As a result, they are leading the country towards the edge of a precipice.

If councillors, long regarded as rouble-rousers, could sit down and reason together to resolve what was a potentially explosive dispute, why can’t the Government and ODM negotiators, who have the advantage of sitting before Eminent Africans led by Mr Kofi Annan, do the same?