Kenyan Diaspora Makes Radical Proposals to BBI Taskforce

Kenyan Diaspora Makes Radical Proposals to BBI Taskforce

Following the extension of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) taskforce’s term, the Kenyan diaspora is set to table its proposals to the team.

The Diaspora National Assembly (DNA), in collaboration with Kenya Patriotic Movement (KEPAM), has come up a raft of recommendations that will be presented to the taskforce for possible adoption.

Among the proposals made by the two diaspora organizations is the barring of any Kenyan found guilty of corruption, abuse of power, or any other criminal offense from any elective or appointed position. 

The two groups also want all appointed and elected officials charged with corruption to step aside without pay and privileges associated with their position, pending the hearing and determination of their cases and their bail set at 50 percent of the amount missing or stolen.

“Allowing people with questionable ethical values to hold any office in the country is perpetuating impunity and destroying the country,” says Dr. Isaac Kinungu Gitau, the President of DNA USA.

They also propose the creation of a Diaspora Constituency that will handle issues faced by Kenyans living abroad in Parliament. They also suggest a Ministry of Diaspora Affairs be created and headed by one of them, similar to that of Israel and India. 

Kenyans in the diaspora further propose the removal of the clause in the 2010 Constitution that bars holders of dual citizenship from holding and running for public office in the level of a State officer. Joseph Lister Nyaringo, the President of KEPAM, terms the clause as discriminatory and a violation of their birthright.

Kenyans living and working abroad are also of the view that Kenyans are overrepresented in Parliament. “What is the logic in a nation of about 50 million people having 425 elected representatives in both chambers?” wondered Ms. Edith Kariuki, a Kenyan in the US.

To end cases of incompetence at the county level, the diaspora proposes that a bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution be the minimum requirement for all Cabinet Secretaries, MCAs and MPs. Additionally, they propose that a Prime Minister must be an elected Member of Parliament and not a nominated MP.

Dr. Frankline Onchiri of Seattle, Washington DC wants Kenyans abroad to be allowed to take part in general elections as stipulated by Section 38 (3) (a), of the constitution.

“Indeed, Kenyans have another chance to strengthen the diaspora voting rights through the BBI to ensure that, come 2022, Kenyans living abroad will get an opportunity to exercise their universal suffrage.”

Finally, the diaspora proposes that whilst members of Parliament and any other constitutional bodies may wish to increase their salaries and allowances, a clause should be introduced that says the next Parliament can only realize such increases. This will deter greed and selfishness, as is the case with the US Congress and State Assemblies.

Comments

Judi (not verified)     Sat, 01/25/2020 @ 12:31am

To have the presidency in rotation of the tribes to avoid one or two tribes from manipulating others and have a fair election by uniting all tribes to be equal or given an equal chance to presidency. Once ruled, to step aside so the tribes not ruled to be in the competition only

Maina (not verified)     Sat, 01/25/2020 @ 04:48pm

In reply to by Judi (not verified)

A person from any tribe can run for any political position in Kenya, to include the presidency - and that is what democracy is all about. It is not about hand picking a president merely on the basis of a tribe.

It is a competitive political process where the person with the most votes from the 47 countries is elected the president of the Republic of Kenya. And that is the final answer in a democratic state. The other interpretations to what democracy is, are personal in nature and should be ignored!

Maina (not verified)     Sat, 01/25/2020 @ 04:21pm

In reply to by Isaac kinungi (not verified)

@kinungi - and so? Where did the “dr” come from? @dr@ is not a name! It is just a title collected along the avenues of life. Get over it! Many collect many titles anyway!

Guest #13 (not verified)     Sat, 01/25/2020 @ 11:45am

Very sensible proposals but the current constitution has most of these suggestions in place but what is lacking is implementation. BBI is not serving any positive purpose for the general population and should be opposed at all costs.

Kujipanga Kibowen (not verified)     Sat, 01/25/2020 @ 01:13pm

Anyone remember what Dictator Uhuru told Kenyans in diaspora years back @ Wash.DC? That the current constitution will allow Kenyans in diaspora to vote! We keep burying our heads in the sand and absolutely poses selective amnesia! These diaspora tribal organizations(GNA,KEPAM,House Of Mumbi...etc) run by tribal kings in the states and here in Canada are nothing but non paying tax schemes coming up with shit like the ngombe who wrote this article. Quite tribal and wanting to fill us up with fake shit. I am glad i dont entertain their bs crap!Stupidity at best.

Maina (not verified)     Sat, 01/25/2020 @ 06:03pm

In reply to by Kujipanga Kibowen (not verified)

@kibowen- I wonder too because you never hear of these lone make-shift groupings led by folks with “dr” titles whenever they need to be counted!

You only hear about them when a situation like BBI is being debated as they try to put their individual senses, titles and names on the map to nowhere.

They will even remind you to call them by “dr” and so and so titles as they position themselves to benefit from all the fall out bread scrums under the big political table.

You tend to wonder if some of them really cares about the plights of the fellow ordinary Kenyans who toil blood, gut and sweat to make a living.

These diasporas are no better than the white colonial masters who pilfraged Kenya’s economy back in the days, raped our women, killed our men and then ran away overseas, and now they regularly call all of us damn fools in a broad day light!

The current crop of neocolonialist (Greedy blacks Kenyans who think ordinary Kenyans back home owe them something - jobs, clothes, food, high profile cars with petrol paid for by tax payers, etc) are taking our Kenya for granted. Their intent is to simply burry Kenya into a mountain of debt and uncertainty!

We must unrelentlessly fight them as they attempt to dig our country and our future generations into bigger chaos and unredeemable debt by creating phony political positions to help themselves. They want to ditch Kenya in a ditch of insurmountable debt burden while they quote India, Israel, China, Kosovo, Bosnia - some places on earth they just hear of but have never been there to see the failing political models there.

The 2010 constitution addresses at length most of these concerns being raised, only that not much have been done to implement them. And why are were being taken into another round of 369 degrees and a supersonic speed? Only God knows!

I support many good issues raised here especially in matters of corruption and barring the corrupt from holding any elected office. A thief should never be allowed to leader anyone, to include dogs and cats, let alone the lone hyenas! I yield for now!

I am fully with you in this issue!

Isaac kinungi (not verified)     Sat, 01/25/2020 @ 08:14pm

In reply to by Kujipanga Kibowen (not verified)

You have a right to trash the report and offer a better one. All we want is good Governance. By the way DNA is composed of Kenyans from all walks of life and so is KEPAM.

Maina (not verified)     Sat, 01/25/2020 @ 11:46pm

In reply to by Isaac kinungi (not verified)

@kinungi - So, since when did you become the custodian of the BBI report? You are neither Uhuru or Raila to tell others to trash the report which you are now attempting to high jack so that you can claim credit for it!

There some points that are tenable as I have highlighted earlier; and those points may have a basis to support. But there are many positions of contention when it comes to your groups intention to create non cost effective diaspora positions with a direct negative effects burden to the Kenyan tax payers.

The two groupings you are so proud of are technically misguided in their thought process and the philosophical outlook of Kenya. They demands are more self serving to the groups than to the larger Kenyan community in Kenya.

The groups perception of Kenya is merely that of “me, myself and I” kind of attitude! No wonder the groups are agitating for costly political constituencies created at the expense of the tax payers, as a mere preserve of the diaspora.

And may God have mercy on the ordinary Kenyans who have anxiously longed for equality in quality governance from time immemorial! This is covert corruption of the highest order! It should not be condoned!

Maina (not verified)     Sat, 01/25/2020 @ 05:18pm

Let’s not overburden ordinary tax payers by adding unnecessary costly political positions for the diaspora.

Most of those currently elected have been educated and lived overseas. They have been the worst Perpetrators of crimes of person such as corruption, embezzlement of the national resources and what have you.

We don’t need to create positions for those in the diaspora just to run home with shiny briefcases to thump chest to the ordinary Kenyans that I’m so and so! We already have enough of that nonsense!

The diasporas who wish to run for political positions back in Kenya can easily return home to compete for the positions available in their county of residence.

If anyone in the diaspora wants to vote in Kenya, by all means take a plane and go vote. You are more than welcome to participate.

Let us not water down the BBI by creating some untenable political positions back in Kenya. It is self serving and inadvertently foolish to channel additional costs to the citizens who are barely making it in life. Most families in Kenya are struggling to make a living and even to educate the future generations.

Why are some folks so concerned about creating positions back in Kenya for themselves while they are living a life luxury abroad? Those issues affecting Kenyans abroad can easily be addressed by the Kenya Embassy in Washington DC or the Consulate in Los Angeles, or anywhere else in any other country across the globe.

I keep hearing Israel, India, etc have this and the other position for those abroad. Well, Kenya is not India, Israel, etc. At the present time, the goal is cut all the political positions in more than half to ease the cost burden.

The more the cost created by more political positions, the lest is available toward development. It is just simple logic, as simple as that for that matter!

Isaac kinungi (not verified)     Sat, 01/25/2020 @ 10:31pm

In reply to by Maina (not verified)

Mr Maina, please dont be controlled by emotions. You may be having points but when you attack, it will not be heard or taken serious. You can form a group and put your suggestions to BBI. If you have never being served by any mission abroad, do not simplify the issue as service delivery is the headache here. Have a good night and relax it no fight as we have business we take care of just like i assume is the same thing with you. All we want is a Kenya all will be proud of.

Maina (not verified)     Sun, 01/26/2020 @ 01:38pm

In reply to by Isaac kinungi (not verified)

@kinungi - dr HUDINI - now you want to jots some coded Condescending messages insinuating that the issues we are discussed here are controlled by my emotions as I point out your recklessness in demanding that you want to create job positions for you and you “dr” friends, and have the poor Kenyans pay for your hefty salaries plus other unnecessary benefits?

What “headache” issues are you talking about “where you are” that you cannot resolve within minutes? And you want to establish a political link-line in Kenya to help you solve them?

If you are residing in any of the developed countries and you are having “headaches” dealing with issues you can’t resolve; shauri yako bwana. That is the craziest thing I have ever heard from “kikuyu!” Unless you name is borrowed from South Africa!!

There is no one single problem you cannot solve if you are in America, Canada, Norway, Germany, Netherlands, Holland, etc. I’m very serious! If you can solve small headaches with in Canada, you definitely cannot solve the mountainous issues that are gnawing Kenya’s society in Kenya!! Period!!

The problems that affect ordinary Kenyans back home are near insurmountable, beyond comprehension, and plainly ridiculous. They created by the politicians and the technocrats whose main goal is their belly-fill!

The fact is these problems can be resolved but the level of corruption, foolishness, high-headed of those supposed to provide survices is plainly shameful. Thus is tantamount to DP Ruto telling he will run a corruption free Kenya after 2022, while he is the PhD engineer of that corruption! I call it like I see it! And you should too!

I wonder why you want a position created for you in that system to add more malaise as an additional stumbling block to progress. Do you run your household with huge debts like Kenya is being ran? we need to eliminate the unsustained debt level and corruption in Kenya, if any sort of development will take place.

I certainly do not need any missions created by the “white” black Kenyans to serve me! I do not need any handouts!

My maker created me to provide services to humanity: and not for humanity to serve! My maker has perfectly endowed me with unimaginable resources, knowledge, and wisdom to meet all my needs and even far beyond.

I give to the needy and I thank God for all His Heavenly provisions! Mimi si mtu wa kutoa mkono uchi to receive from others. I give to others!!

Ati you said I start my own petty organization so I can cheat Kenyans back in Kenya; just like the fired CS Kiunjuri and his new party, including several groupings folks are creating world wide to benefit themselves? Forget it!

My ”grouping” is far much larger than your small @grouping”. My constituency is made up of ordinary Kenyans. We regularly think about Kenya’s plight together. We all speak in the same voice; and the same accord! You can call our speaking strengths an emotional plea. Ok “dr” of psycho-analysis - what kind of halogen is this from you! Pure nonsensical carcass!

We are not writing a PhD dissertation to present it to a bunch of neocon professors possibly like you do. We are presenting tangible real life situations which affect Kenyans at large in daily basis.

It is Kenyans within the boundaries of Kenya that are going to find a last solutions to those problems. It is not guys like you whose first step in solving the puzzle is to create a muheshimiwa office at the parliament building at the cost of Kenyans.

Let it be emotional for men and women who trying to uplift ordinary Kenyans, if it is too emotional for you. Kenyans are sick and tired of being exploited! It has gone on for nearly 60 years; they should get emotional if that is what will cause them to act!

You ain’t cut out for the job of fixing the situation in Kenya if your main goal is make corrections to your names and counsel others not to be emotional like they are writing a college term paper!

Our message is not for audiences like you who have a chipped shoulder And a ”dr” big-head, because you are too apathetic to understand it. Most thieves of Kenyans coffers and resources have “dr” attached to their phony names! - dr Rotich, dr Thegu, dr Ruto, etc! May time has come to listen to Kamathis of old; who gave their lives to bring real change in Kenya.

And you think I am emotional- please get a job!!

mkenya halisi (not verified)     Sun, 01/26/2020 @ 01:22am

U wazungus waafrica forgot Death by bullets or hang if anyone is found have stollen public funds n his case shouldnt exceed 60 days.The hanging n spraying of bullets shoukd happen at 12pm during the day at uhuru park n pple should b invited to pay while watching.I volunteer to do that job without pay.Only a cup of mango juice

Chris (not verified)     Sun, 01/26/2020 @ 07:19am

Porojo nyingi! Diaspora political groups, more like gossip joints and unfounded competitive to check out who has what and who is doing what. Their interests are not aligned with the rest of the diaspora community and these so called diaspora groups end up being for personal gains. First of all NOTHING NEW will EVER come under the current UHURU administration. Nothing ever, so quit taking Kenyans for a ride. Do yourselves a favor and vote out ALL the uncouth leaders including Ruto and company and make sure the blood-thirsty ones like Raila NEVER EVER get into power. FAGIA WOTE. That is when you can make sensible outcomes. Lakini hii ya kissing Kenyan politicians behind, getting your business deals in Kenya rolling and protected and then running to diasporans for suggestions with foam in your mouths, muSHINDWE Kabisa. Now the call it BBI a mutation from so many others we've seen. Make better use of your time AND MONEY diasporans! Abhor these so-called political groups Aka Masengenyo joints.

Maina (not verified)     Sun, 01/26/2020 @ 06:22pm

In reply to by ISAAC KINUNGI (not verified)

@“dr” - nursing ego my foot?; that is your name!! You have created a grouping to benefit yourself as you prepare to rush back to Kenya and lie to innocent Kenyans that you are their “savior” with a chain-link of empty promises?

You will even lie to Kenyans back home that you are brain child of the BBI. Won’t you!!?? Talk about ego? Oh boy - ego while you have established a grouping to milk Kenyans back home?!?

You will even tell them to address you as “dr” sir just to have a doctor feel good moment? Is you grouping pay any taxes? Did you take the time to remind the media that your name is preceded by some title”dr” to steal the show while everyone is discussing people’s issues? It is all about yourself and your big belly, right?

It is quite imperative for folks like you to stop lying to folks back home that you are working for them, while deep inside yourself you know far too well that you are setting up an impetus to cater to your ego and greed through political means as you set up a costly office in the parliament building.

Kenyans are very tired of being lied to by groupings in foreign countries. You have become the new black colonialists who are destroying our country bit by bit!

How many groupings in foreign countries do we need to speak for Kenyans back home? This is very shameful!!

Maina (not verified)     Sun, 01/26/2020 @ 07:22pm

In reply to by ISAAC KINUNGI (not verified)

@iithaka - it is quite shaming when a scam artist get exposed! Sorry dude, Kenyans are all ahead of the game these days. You cannot expect the needy and the poor to create employment for you! It is better to give than to receive! That is something you may need to learn. You are in a position to give to the needy but you want to milk them blind without anyone exposing your burdening schemes. It does not work that way!

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