Kenya needs a reformist leader

Mukhisa Kituyi’s commentary in the last edition of the Sunday Nation appeared to be a critique on the ODM campaign strategy of using Raila Odinga’s past reform credentials to sell his candidacy.

Dr Kituyi’s assertion was that the reform gains made in the country were secure and that there were custodians of the Constitution outside Parliament charged with the responsibility of checks and balances.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Recent developments in Parliament where legislators attempted to amend some sections of the Constitution for selfish gains attest to a clique of leaders that are still uncomfortable with change.

Similarly, the politicising of Chief Justice Willy Mutunga’s tough stance that leaders who do not meet the integrity test will not be allowed to seek any public office as stated in Chapter 6 of the new Constitution on Leadership and Integrity is a pointer to a country that still has a long way to go in reform process.

Nearly 50 years after gaining independence, the country is still grappling with historical problems of corruption, negative ethnicity, land, distribution of resources, widening gap between the rich and the poor as well as unemployment among the youth.

Thus Dr Kituyi’s declaration that there is a reform fatigue in the country is a wrong perception. Kenyans urgently need a leader who will spearhead the full implementation of the new Constitution.

The presidential candidates are on a job interview where the Kenyan voter is the employer. The candidates have to bring out their strong attributes which include their past track records.

Therefore if Mr Odinga’s best selling point happens to be his past reform record, he has the right to shout about it.

Lilian Olala, Nairobi.