My Responsibility, an initiative of the Justice & Peace Commissions of Association of Sister hoods of Kenya, AOSK and Religious Superiors Conference of Kenya, RSCK that is appearing weekly alongside Yes, Kenya Matters! until the Kenyan elections.

1. My Prayer
Lord, enlighten
both the government
and the opposition
to put citizen affairs
above party interests.
Give them wisdom and good will
to engage positively in the process
of the forthcoming election
for the betterment of our country.
Amen.
My Commitment
I will never compromise my voting choice
due to bahasha tokens or awards.
I will constantly call on the government
to be honest and transparent
in the use of public goods.
MY RESPONSIBILITY
towards ELECTIONS 2017
Published by AOSK-RSCK
My Prayer
Lord, enlighten
both the government
and the opposition
to put citizen affairs
above party interests.
Give them wisdom and good will
to engage positively in the process
of the forthcoming election
for the betterment of our country.
Amen.
My Commitment
I will never compromise my voting choice
due to bahasha tokens or awards.
I will constantly call on the government
to be honest and transparent
in the use of public goods.
MY RESPONSIBILITY
towards ELECTIONS 2017
Published by AOSK-RSCK
“How to Judge
...the Opposition?”
...Incumbents”
No. 10
“How to Judge
...the Opposition?”
...Incumbents”
No. 10

2. Reflection
An opposition party is an important actor in a
democracy. It forms a so-called “shadow”
government. It has two main functions. The first is
to be a watchdog over the government in power,
i.e., to provide “checks and balances” over
government policies and actions. The second is to
be ready and willing to assume office in the event
of a victory in a national election.
The National Super Alliance –NASA– is a
coalition of different parties, while Jubilee, also a
coalition of parties, forms the government. One
goal of NASA, as the opposition, is now to offer a
viable alternative to the incumbent Jubilee
government in the coming General Elections.
NASA often engages Jubilee in debate, but usually
on issues which are not a priority for ordinary
Kenyans. Even when it raises important issues,
NASA is often compromised with positions or
tokens, famously called bahasha. Since the
government does not take the opposition
seriously, it is not being held accountable for the
theft or waste of public funds.
Amidst many fears of rigging the 2017 election,
NASA must restore its role and its credibility. It
must convince Kenyans that it has the knowledge
and competence to become a reliable government,
to give due service, and to defend the law. Internal
wrangles have rendered the opposition inefficient
and allowed Jubilee to operate without checks and
balances. This is a great threat to democracy and
to integral development.
My Examination of Conscience
 What policies can the opposition offer in order
to be a credible alternative government?
 What should NASA do to provide “checks and
balances” to the government?
Reflection
An opposition party is an important actor in a
democracy. It forms a so-called “shadow”
government. It has two main functions. The first is
to be a watchdog over the government in power,
i.e., to provide “checks and balances” over
government policies and actions. The second is to
be ready and willing to assume office in the event
of a victory in a national election.
The National Super Alliance –NASA– is a
coalition of different parties, while Jubilee, also a
coalition of parties, forms the government. One
goal of NASA, as the opposition, is now to offer a
viable alternative to the incumbent Jubilee
government in the coming General Elections.
NASA often engages Jubilee in debate, but usually
on issues which are not a priority for ordinary
Kenyans. Even when it raises important issues,
NASA is often compromised with positions or
tokens, famously called bahasha. Since the
government does not take the opposition
seriously, it is not being held accountable for the
theft or waste of public funds.
Amidst many fears of rigging the 2017 election,
NASA must restore its role and its credibility. It
must convince Kenyans that it has the knowledge
and competence to become a reliable government,
to give due service, and to defend the law. Internal
wrangles have rendered the opposition inefficient
and allowed Jubilee to operate without checks and
balances. This is a great threat to democracy and
to integral development.
My Examination of Conscience
 What policies can the opposition offer in order
to be a credible alternative government?
 What should NASA do to provide “checks and
balances” to the government?