Friday, July 15, 2011

Constitution Implementation Fathers

The US citizens have enormous respect for their founding fathers for the foresight and the vision they had when they founded their republic. One thing comes to mind when I read the history of US is the process of writing the declaration of independence. The base upon which US laws are based upon.

In Kenya we had a great Constitution Commission of Kenya which bequeathed us a new constitution and in their wisdom and foresight they created a Constitution Implementation Commission. The also went ahead to make sure that none of the commissioners in CCK would sit in this commission. At first I thought we would not find able bodied Kenyan’s to fit into these commissions.

Enter Charles Nyachae & his Commission
However, I was proved wrong. The constituted 8 member constitution commission has been a representation of the new Kenya. It has stood its ground on enactment of new legislations sometimes coming at odds with legislatures, hawk eyed on the time schedules spelt out in the constitution and vocal on the need to implement the letter and spirit of new law.

The commission chairman has moved out of his way to always stick out his head when key issues that are incidental to implementation of the new constitution are being addressed. Perhaps this may have rubbed those in authority in the wrong way. Given the fact that the commission are yet to be paid their dues six months on the line and despite this HUGE shortcoming from the government we came to learn of this fact a month ago when it was first reported in the blog-sphere.

The commission has placed its ‘eyes on the antelope’ as PLO Lumumba would put it despite the non payment of their dues. To add insult to injury a section of the government has been calling for the renegotiation of their pay perks downwards!

Chip of the old block?
It is worthwhile to note that most of us had not heard about Charles BUT were familiar with Simeon Nyachae the formers father who was a career civil servant in provincial administration before plunging into politics and becoming the King of Kisii land. He later served in cabinet in various positions and at one time rose to the position of Finance Minister during Moi administration. He later broke ranks with his mentor President Moi and joined the 2002 NARC and served in Kibaki’s first administration. Mr. S. Nyachae vied for the presidency under Ford People in 2007.

Gandalf the White?
I do NOT seek to judge the son Charles based on the father Mr. S. Nyachae because he has shown to us and the world that he is his own man.  
Mr Charles Nyachae, the chairman of the Commission on Implementation of the Constitution (CIC). Photo/Nation
Source: link
In fact we have come to recognise the chair of CIC by his trade mark white beard (which reminds me of Gandalf the white in the Lord of the Rings-The two towers). 

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