Kenya Needs a Third Force in Politics

1 August 2014
opinion

There is need for a moderating voice in Kenyan politics. There is need for a third force - a new political faction or party that occupies an intermediate position between the Jubilee and Cord extremes. We know that even in highly developed and mature democracies, the tussles between two extreme parties offer little choice for voters who may not align with them. In fledgling democracies such as ours, the two extremes may not be the solution for sustainable peace and stability. In fact, it may create opportunities for violence and extremism. We have seen where the 'winner takes it all' mentality has done for national unity, cohesion, and reconciliation.

But while it seems, on the surface, that we are morphing into a 'two-party/coalition' system. Unfortunately, these two factions represent the old ways of thinking. We have seen the government's approach in tackling emerging issues and we have also seen the opposition's response. Neither has been participatory in its decision making; neither solution has been comprehensive or satisfactory. They've been piecemeal reactive responses. We have also seen that these coalitions are mobilised along tribal lines. They are simple tribal alliances with self-serving tribal kings at the apex.

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