Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho during a past rally in Kisumu. Photo: Hassan Joho/ twitter.com
Atifete Jahjaga once said democracy must be built through open societies that share information.
When there is information, there is enlightenment. When there is debate, there are solutions. When there is no sharing of power, no rule of law, no accountability, there is abuse, corruption, subjugation and indignation. It does not take a PhD to see that this nation needs change.The cancellation of Orange Democratic Movement's (ODM) Mvita rally ahead of President Uhuru Kenyatta's meeting in Tononoka Grounds takes this nation back to retired President Daniel Arap Moi’s era where opposition was there to be seen and not to be heard.Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho has a democratic right to share his political ideologies with Kenyans without any form of restriction unless he intends to incite the electorate.As a democratic nation, President Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto should allow the opposition to hold rallies whenever they feel like doing so.It is disturbing to realize that some leaders are using different channels to frustrate their opponents ahead of the next general poll. Each Kenyan has a single vote. It is upon the leaders to reach out to the people and convince them. Why did we need a constitution if those who supported it are already going against it? What will supporters of the ruling party say if opposition mobilised their supporters to disrupt their rallies?