Review election rules
The political showdown of the election of the Speaker of the 10th Parliament in which Emuhaya MP Kenneth Marende ousted Francis ole Kaparo is receding into history. But before the dust settles, it is time to reflect on the electoral procedures governing the selection of the man or woman who guides MPs in making laws and performing other duties bestowed on the Legislature in our constitutional order.
That qualification for the seat is open to all has its good and bad sides. That is unlike the resume for many others holding offices where interpretation of the law is a daily fare where they have to be trained lawyers.
The Speaker’s seat, despite its importance in the country, can be occupied by Kenyans from all walks of life so long as they can convince the MPs to vote for them. That may be fair for democracy, but it has a major downside in that it leaves it open for any MP to contest for the seat and, if successful, exposes the electorate in his constituency to a by-election.
In Mr Marende’s case, the voters in Emuhaya constituency in western Kenya will be going back to the polls, probably in three months time. Apart from potential contestants getting another chance to vie for one of the most lucrative seats in Kenya, a member of parliament takes home about Sh800,000 tax free per month, it is difficult to see who else is served by this provision.
Elections are an expensive affair in Kenya, with no limit on spending by both parties and contestants. It is estimated that a successful parliamentary candidate spends at least Sh15 million in campaign logistics, including influencing voters, to wage a decent bid. Besides that, the electoral commission estimates that another Sh40 million plus is needed to organise the poll including paying poll officials and security officers attached to the exercise.
Assuming three strong candidates make it to the ballot in Emuhaya, the by-election will cost in excess of Sh100 million to run, just three months after probably three times as much was spent in the main election. Besides finances on individuals and institutions like the electoral commission, there is the often ignored issue of man hours spent by the electorate on the campaign trail, including supporters and voters.
Participating in political activity can hardly pass for a productive undertaking except in cases where one is being paid, like agents are. History also shows that by elections attract dismal voter turnout, electoral fatigue is one of the factors. Should thousands of Emuhaya voters (politicians hardly mind a second chance) be subjected to all this simply because they elected a representative who went on to become house speaker?
On the strength of financial and economic implications alone they should not. Qualifications for House speaker need to exclude members of parliament to save the economy and voters resources in terms of both money and time. This, however, may be too much to ask for from our opportunistic politicians.
Business Daily
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