This is the time to have the 12th Parliament you want

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OPINION

By Chris Obore

The political season is nigh, and parties are choosing their best to represent constituencies in the 12^th Parliament.

This presents the perfect opportunity for a conversation on the 12^th Parliament we want – especially given the hyper-criticism often (perhaps even wrongly) levelled against MPs, ranging from berating their qualification to generally doubting their range and capacity to legislate for us.

Parliament, it must be understood, is what you make it to be. In this electoral process, the people are determining what the 12^th Parliament will look like, and who will form its membership.

The perennial critics of Parliament and the MPs have a once in five years’ opportunity to fully participate in determining the nature and make of the 12^th Parliament, by offering themselves for election as MPs, or backing individuals they believe adequately represent their values and interests.

This is because those critical voices always fault the nature and composition of Parliament for coming short, in their view, on one scale or another. Not that it is a bad thing for the institution or membership of Parliament to be subject to and recipients of criticism, harsh or otherwise.

However, the constant criticism by a particular group of basically the same individuals leaves us with wonder as to what Parliament would be with them actually constituting its membership…perhaps they would build the ideal Parliament that, in their eyes, perfectly aligns with their normative ideals.

If criticism is intended to improve, it must, therefore, offer solutions too or at a bare minimum, appreciate the contribution others make. And what is the alternative to a solid solution, such as each member identifying a ‘weak link’ in Parliament, then aggressively seeking to replace them, or at least back a different candidate to uproot those they think are out to derail the legislature?

Is it not better than choosing to be bystanders now, and then starting to berate MPs immediately they assume office, after letting the opportunity to stop those they deem unfit for the role sail through with minimal challenge and contestation?

This is the point where MP hopefuls present their credentials not only to the voters but also to the Independent Electoral Commission, a statutory body, where as citizens, you have the right under the Access to Information Act, to interrogate academic qualifications of those seeking public office, to satisfy yourself as to whether or not they are good enough to legislate for the country.

Whereas this is not an endorsement for the likes of former government spokesperson Ofwono Opondo, Dr Ekwaro Obuku, journalists Charles Mwanguhya and Eriasa Mukiibi, Dr Patrick Wakida, Ms Margaret Wokuri, it is important to salute them for leaving the comfort of criticism to join the arena where Parliament is actually woven.

Now is the time not to just stand on the sidelines, but to join the arena to play a part in crafting the 12^th Parliament.

All critics of Parliament should take active part in the current process which is going to give rise to the next crop of MPs, not to annihilate criticism, but just so that the so many years of pointing out what is wrong with the legislature (and they are perfectly in order to do so as sovereign citizens) is replaced by many years ahead of doing what they believe to be the right thing – living the ideal Parliament.

The tragedy with their silence right now is that when all is said and done and the electoral exercise concluded, the voices of criticism from those very particular people will ring hollow and sterile; and could be met with scepticism and even treated as dubious.

It will mean the criticism is not necessarily based upon any genuine intention to transform the legislature, but that it is merely a self-righteous lifestyle which must be fed whether MPs do right or wrong.

Like Theodore Roosevelt noted in his famous April 1910 ‘Citizenship in the Republic’ speech, the world honours and remembers the man in the arena, the one who steps on the stage to actually build something.

Now is the time to speak, or else, any criticism specifically around the suitability of MPs after this process will be inconsequential and the critics will have to forever hold their peace until the next election cycle in 2031. So, speak now or forever hold your peace.

Mr Obore is the Director of Communication and Public Affairs at Parliament.