6 September 2008
editorial
Nairobi — Ever since the re-introduction of multi-parties in Kenya, political parties have remained confused, disorderly patchwork of ethnic outfits hastily put together with the sole purpose of winning General Elections and catapulting some tribal chieftain to State House.
In this scheme of things, parties draw their appeal from personalities as opposed to clear and unique ideologies that can capture the imagination and inspirations of the people.
They exist as are long as they serve the political objectives of the wealthy and influential individuals who cobbled them together.
When people are bought together only by their hunger to occupy this or that office, you get a gathering of people who do not believe in anything leave alone the parties whose colours and flags they fly.
This explains party hoping any time things are not working out that well for members with specific political goals.
Without any recognisable structure and instruments, the parties are owned and run on whimsical sensibilities of the personalities who bankroll them and hence internal democracy is visible by its scarcity.
For parties to thrive and survive the turbulence of our often tempestuous politics they need to be founded on strong ideals that people can believe in.
When people believe in a party, life long loyalty is ensured. In the more developed democracies, where strong parties survive on firm ideological foundations, leaders don't switch parties even when they lose nominations.
They remain strong defenders and pillars of their respective parties because they believe in them and their ability to ensure just and progressive societies.
This in turn inspires confidence among membership and the existence of a democratic society is guaranteed.
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