Commentary ( Nation Editorial) - Mass action is not a solution to anything

Ref: http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=24&newsid=117321

Mass action is not a solution to anything


Publication Date: 2/21/2008

Orange Democratic Movement MPs Wednesday resolved to call mass action if Parliament is not summoned by next week to enact constitutional changes that will pave the way for the implementation of proposals tabled during the Kofi Annan-led mediation talks.

The 45 MPs declared that their patience was running out, and accused the Party of National Unity of using delaying tactics, ostensibly to sabotage the negotiations.

While these MPs may have a point about the need to start discussions on a speedy review of the Constitution, their threats amount to extremely dangerous talk at a time when delicate negotiations are being carefully nurtured.

Kenyans have had very bad experiences with mass action. In almost every case, such action has resulted in running battles with law enforcers, and has given an opportunity to looters, arsonists and other ne’er-do-wells to carry out their nefarious activities.

To start talk about mass action when all avenues of negotiations have not been exhausted is not only to poison the atmosphere, but also to employ armtwisting tactics which are bound to harden positions.

It is evident that during such protests, it is the poor, unemployed youths who suffer most, for they are used as canon-fodder to further the interests of the political class.

This is why we urge great caution in these sensitive times. Loose talk from hot-blooded legislators on both sides of the political class will not help this country; only negotiation and mediation will.

That is why we support Mr Annan in his warning to the parties concerned not to use any intimidating language and issue ultimatums that will only serve to make the hardliners in both PNU and ODM to hold fast to their declared positions and not cede ground.

All Kenyans of sound mind are anxious for this country to return to normalcy. We have gone through extremely traumatic times as a nation, and we are not even out of the woods yet.

History will judge our leaders harshly if, through their irresponsible utterances, they make a return to political sanity impossible.