kymnjoro
Elder Lister
On July 3, 2008, Kenya witnessed one of the most dramatic moments ever seen inside Parliament. It was "Kimunya Must Go!" and they meant it.The country was still grappling with the Grand Regency Hotel scandal, after allegations emerged that the government had secretly sold the prime property at a price far below its true value. What followed was extraordinary. MPs from both sides of the political divide temporarily put their differences aside and came together to demand accountability from Finance Minister Amos Kimunya.Then came the moment that would be remembered for years. Kimunya stood his ground and declared that he would “rather die than resign.”But Parliament had other ideas.From the chambers came a loud and relentless chant led by then Ikolomani MP
@DrBKhalwale
:“To stop corruption at the treasury, Kimunya must go!”"To end impunity in this country, Kimunya Must Go!".....Members were clapping haaard because earlier that year in March, Safaricom launched IPO and people were really conned big time. Public Investments Committee discovered that a certain goose company called Mobitelea Ventures Ltd had 5% stake in Safaricom and other true owners were unknown. Buana it forced PM Raila Odinga to announce suspension of that IPO which was going at Ksh.5 per share. Back to Bunge, the words became more than just a political slogan. They captured the mood of a Parliament that felt the minister had to take responsibility. The pressure became unbearable, and Kimunya eventually resigned.Looking back, the Grand Regency saga was bigger than Kimunya himself. It demonstrated what Parliament can do when MPs decide to exercise their oversight role without fear or political convenience.
Today, whenever we talk about parliamentary accountability in Kenya, the words “Kimunya must go” remain a reminder of a time when Parliament could actually force a powerful minister to bow to public pressure.My question is simple: Where did that Parliament go?Because Kenya desperately needs moments like that again. We need MPs who can put the interests of the country above party loyalty, personal interests and political survival. Parliament should not be a place where government is defended at all costs. It should be the place where government is questioned, scrutinised and held accountable.Kimunya eventually went.The bigger question is whether Kenya’s Parliament still has the courage to make powerful people go when accountability demands it.
@DrBKhalwale
:“To stop corruption at the treasury, Kimunya must go!”"To end impunity in this country, Kimunya Must Go!".....Members were clapping haaard because earlier that year in March, Safaricom launched IPO and people were really conned big time. Public Investments Committee discovered that a certain goose company called Mobitelea Ventures Ltd had 5% stake in Safaricom and other true owners were unknown. Buana it forced PM Raila Odinga to announce suspension of that IPO which was going at Ksh.5 per share. Back to Bunge, the words became more than just a political slogan. They captured the mood of a Parliament that felt the minister had to take responsibility. The pressure became unbearable, and Kimunya eventually resigned.Looking back, the Grand Regency saga was bigger than Kimunya himself. It demonstrated what Parliament can do when MPs decide to exercise their oversight role without fear or political convenience.
Today, whenever we talk about parliamentary accountability in Kenya, the words “Kimunya must go” remain a reminder of a time when Parliament could actually force a powerful minister to bow to public pressure.My question is simple: Where did that Parliament go?Because Kenya desperately needs moments like that again. We need MPs who can put the interests of the country above party loyalty, personal interests and political survival. Parliament should not be a place where government is defended at all costs. It should be the place where government is questioned, scrutinised and held accountable.Kimunya eventually went.The bigger question is whether Kenya’s Parliament still has the courage to make powerful people go when accountability demands it.
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