give reasons why kenya practises direct democracy
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Answer:
Simply put, democracy is rule by the people, of the people and for the people. Kenya is a democratic country that has embraced the system of representative democracy, where representatives - usually Members of Parliament - are tasked with representing the people as well as their opinions. In a direct democracy, the people’s influence on the state is not limited to electing representatives to the parliament or government. Citizens can express their views and intervene directly on their representatives’ activities via such tools as popular initiative and referendum.
As Kenyans struggle for their basic democratic rights it is worth noting that Kenyan public institutions such as Parliament and City Hall have suffered from a massive loss of credibility. The citizens no longer have much confidence in the capacity of MPs and Councillors to tackle major problems such as corruption, poverty, or HIV/AIDS. Over three quarters of the parliamentarians have lost their seats during the last two general elections. This, however, has not translated into any meaningful change. New parliamentarians swiftly emulate the bad practises of their predecessors.
Direct democracy proponent Jean Jacques Rousseau once opined that citizens ought to be directly involved in the creation of the laws which are to govern their lives. He maintained that, "all citizens should meet together and decide what is best for the community and enact the appropriate laws. Any law which is not directly created by the citizens is not valid, and if those laws are imposed on people, that is equivalent to the people being enslaved. The citizens of a society must both develop and obey laws.”
Democracy rests on the principle that all sane people should have an equal share in shaping their country’s laws. Yet, from the day after the election, the elected representatives claim that they alone are capable of taking the decisions which convert the voters’ broad choices into law.
Conclusion
Embracing direct democracy would shatter the imbalance of power that currently favours the political class while leaving the citizens alienated and powerless. The chance for citizens to play an active role in political decision-making will act towards raising the esteem of the general public. The populace would also mature politically due to frequent participation in decision making, thereby making them better voters and better citizens in general.
For direct democracy to become a reality in Kenya, regional and local self-determination shall have to be promoted so that stronger, semi-autonomous federal structures can be established. Proper devolution either based on fewer and larger counties in a provincial model is what can take politics within the reach of the average citizen. The current centralized system denies citizens the right to make political decisions locally. They should be free to choose their institutions and have their own bylaws. They should also be free to organize their own unique judicial system, housing, and agricultural policies.
While Kenya cannot be classified among the dictatorships or undemocratic nations that dot the African continent, a lot has to be done to solidify and strengthen its emerging democratic culture. Direct democracy in Kenya is surely the way to go as it will promote political awareness as well as stir public debate on national issues thereby giving broader legitimacy to political decisions.
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Democracy is rule by the people, of the people and for the people. Kenya is a democratic country that has embraced the system of representative democracy, where representatives - usually Members of Parliament - are tasked with representing the people as well as their opinions. In a direct democracy, the people’s influence on the state is not limited to electing representatives to the parliament or government. Citizens can express their views and intervene directly on their representatives’ activities via such tools as popular initiative and referendum.
emocracy is rule by the people, of the people and for the people. Kenya is a democratic country that has embraced the system of representative democracy, where representatives - usually Members of Parliament - are tasked with representing the people as well as their opinions. In a direct democracy, the people’s influence on the state is not limited to electing representatives to the parliament or government. Citizens can express their views and intervene directly on their representatives’ activities via such tools as popular initiative and referendum.. The citizens no longer have much confidence in the capacity of MPs and Councillors to tackle major problems such as corruption, poverty, or HIV/AIDS. Over three quarters of the parliamentarians have lost their seats during the last two general elections. This, however, has not translated into any meaningful change. New parliamentarians swiftly emulate the bad practises of their predecessors.
emocracy is rule by the people, of the people and for the people. Kenya is a democratic country that has embraced the system of representative democracy, where representatives - usually Members of Parliament - are tasked with representing the people as well as their opinions. In a direct democracy, the people’s influence on the state is not limited to electing representatives to the parliament or government. Citizens can express their views and intervene directly on their representatives’ activities via such tools as popular initiative and referendum.. The citizens no longer have much confidence in the capacity of MPs and Councillors to tackle major problems such as corruption, poverty, or HIV/AIDS. Over three quarters of the parliamentarians have lost their seats during the last two general elections. This, however, has not translated into any meaningful change. New parliamentarians swiftly emulate the bad practises of their predecessors. should have an equal share in shaping their country’s laws. Yet, from the day after the election, the elected representatives claim that they alone are capable of taking the decisions which convert the voters’ broad choices into law.