Mzalendo Mailbox: 1

Now, that Parliament is on a two month recess and while we are still busy working on filling in the data gaps we thought it would be a great idea to highlight some of the interesting mail/messages that we get via the website. I One thing that we are learning is that the average Kenyan really does not know how (or is unable) to get in touch with their member of parliament.

Read on!
*Initials have been used to protect that innocent :-)

1. From OJ: "How can i become a member of this party."

2. From EA: "Thank you for the information on Hon. Raila Odinga , Can I get one from Hon Tuju please even His e-mail contacts if the phone is not available . Please assist."

3. From Anon: "i am so impressed by your site though you need to put correct information on your data base . for example madoka’s term did not begin in 1977 but rather in 1992. on Kanu officials putting jnr officials like nick salat and ommiting snr v.c like katana ngala, henry kosgey as well as important leaders like dalmas otieno,mutula kilonzo seems a like a little mischief aimed at potraying the party negatively . please make said corrections unless your plan is misrepresent and potray some parties negatively otherwise i enjoy the site."

4. From P: "Am a conserned member of your constituency i feel letdown coz u elected in hopes that u will make our place better but am afraid roads electricty expecially the old Kangaita region so i would wish to ask u to atleast do something for the remaining days."

5. From LL, letter to the newspaper cc'd to Mzalendo:

"Dear Sir/Madam,

I am a Kenyan currently based in the US but very interested in what is happening in the country since it directly affects my family in Kenya and as a result affects me too. In the past years I have realized that our people get misled during election time due to lack of information. Most of the people also do not have the time to get the information they need to make informed decisions or don’t even know where to get it.

This is where my proposal comes in. With about 17 months left to the elections, it would be very informative if your paper could run a page a day highlighting each constituency based on the following questions:

Constituency

1. How many educational institutions since independence – primary secondary, college? How many since the MP came into power?
2. How many clinics/dispensaries since independence? How many since the MP came into power
3. What is the road network like?
4. What is the water situation like – is it accessible to even the remotest areas without having to walk long distances?
5. What is the security like? Do people feel safer?
6. If there are slums, what services are provided to cater to the people there? Are these services mainly provided by NGOs?
7. What is the economic situation like – more businesses coming up, construction, shopping places, markets etc

Personal

1. Does the MP live in the constituency he represents if it is a constituency in Nairobi? If not why not?
2. How often does he meet with constituents to discuss issues? How easily accessible to his constituents is he?
3. How did he decide how the CDF was going to be used? Did he involve the people?
4. How much does he make compared to his constituents?
5. How often does he attend parliament? Does he make contributions and are they in regard to his constituency?
6. What promises did he make when he last ran? How many have been fulfilled? How many are in process?
7. How long has he been an MP and what quantifiable results can be shown for his time?

This information would assist voters in making better decisions. It would also hopefully allow the area MP to respond and defend themselves if need be. I strongly believe it is time to educate the masses. I also believe you will be the first newspaper to do this and as a result you would increase readership. Granted some people would accuse you of being biased but many more would appreciate a chance to know. Besides, what is the job of the media if not to educate and inform? This may require a lot of work on your reporters and researchers but I know it can be done.

Sincerely,

Posted by Mzalendo Editor on Aug. 14, 2006

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