Mambo "Jomo" and Peter Kenneth in Boston Region

Mambo, who is popularly known as “Jomo”, for having a powerful voice, and Peter Kenneth slightly taller as the picture shows would crown the end of a four hour event in Boston region. Little did Peter Kenneth know this short man would be someone he would reckon with. A strong student of the constitution and people’s issues “Jomo” has been known to stop great visionaries on there tracks with his powerful voice.

When a Kenya banker encouraged people in Diaspora to sell land and buy houses, Jomo stopped the debate with a strong “No!” and said that land has sentimental attachments. Lost in the back of the hall he would not get his chance to make comments and ask his question and just as the end neared he raised his hand for probably the tenth time. Even as he stood many who know him were attentive as the voice roared out, “Because I’m a short man I thought you will not give me this opportunity to ask you my question,” he spoke with the powerful voice that has made him to be considered as the best master of ceremony in Boston region. Peter Kenneth replied, “Jomo you are the first person I spoke to when I arrived.” The issues, Jomo cared for, were made known and addressed with passion.

Constitution denying a citizen the right to seek office
“The current constitution says that one third of the elected legislators in any body have to be women and I understand that some constituencies will have only women in the ballot,” said Jomo who went ahead and added, “This cannot happen. A man should not be denied the chance to vie for a seat in a constituency because he is a man.” In response to this Peter Kenneth said this issue was now in the process of being sorted out through a constitutional amendment bill adding that he as a father of two has brought up two children, a boy and a girl, and he has given them equal opportunity and women should be allowed to vie for seats and win on merit. The two agreed on this point.

However two ladies, both accomplished professionals, asked for their opinion later, said, “No Way! One third clause has to remain.” A compromise emerged in a 5 minute discussion that the only acceptable language for constitution amendment could be to state that the 290 seats on the National Assembly be contested without gender discrimination, the election of 47 women county seats reserved for women remain as is and the 4 seats set aside for youth and disabled persons. Then a constitutional provision should be added such that if the gender one-third is not achieved through election then a nomination provision should be allowed so the one-third requirement is met.   

Parliament Enacting legislation to Tax money sent from abroad
“Kenyans in Diaspora send $2 billion to Kenya every year, about Kshs 180 billion,” Peter Kenneth stated as he addressed and took questions. Jomo wanted a clear clarification that the money sent by Kenyans abroad should not be taxed as Income to those who receive the money. Peter Kenneth agreed on this saying if one was sending money to help someone then it was not an income and one should not be taxed, for this would be tantamount to double taxation.

Creation of a Base
The man who had waited for four hours was not even interrupted as he went to his third comment. Saying Peter Kenneth should talk to President Kibaki and Martha Karua to form a base. However, pockets in the crowd erupted that that was his opinion, which of course he was entitled to. Peter Kenneth however disagreed with Jomo, and argued that he was not looking toward tribal alliances. When reached Jomo later he said, “he understood Hon Peter Kenneth’s idea of forming a base through aligning with other great minds.” He noted that his comment was based on more the same of like minded thinkers like President Kibaki and Martha Karua but embraced Peter Kenneth’s stand of forming a base based on ideas rather than using names.

Creating a Bill geared toward dormant accounts
Jomo stated that whereas Diaspora saved their hard earned money in the banking systems and this accounts are dormant for many are abroad, government should not develop laws geared toward this accounts. The accounts set by people outside the country many a time end up to be dormant even for years and thus when the word dormant appeared it looked like this was where the bill was directed. Peter Kenneth clarified that the dormant accounts the bill is geared toward are those of persons who pass on without a will, noting there is a lot of this type of money that can be opened up to inheritors. 

Political Dynasties
Jomo in the strongest words possible said, “Political Dynasties should end. Every person should have an opportunity to lead.”  Peter Kenneth sentiments as expressed and written in an Email to his followers titled “They say…” are, “ They say to run for political office in our country you need political godfathers, I tell them you just need the will and support of Kenyans, who are tired of political dynasties and political patronage. Those who understand that Kenya belong to all of us.”

In barely one minute Jomo had covered five issues without the comment from Peter Kenneth:  “As the speaker of the house will interrupt and say. Please ask the question!”