November 19, 2007
The 'Net Promotes Democracy in Kenya
The Internet is improving the young democracy in Kenya. The Website Mzalendo, which means “Patriot” in English, co-founded by Ory Okolloh, reports on the Parliament’s work.
It publishes Hansard, the official record of the goings-on in the Parliament. Mzalendo provides information about how the Members of Parliament fulfill their mission. Because Kenya is still a closed society, it introduces Kenyan politicians to transparency.
The organization’s goal is to encourage the Kenyan people to demand accountability from public institutions. The Website helps to improve political education by making citizens aware they have the right to know what their government is doing. Rather than ethnicity and personality considerations, this site focuses on the important issues that affect the daily lives of all Kenyans.
This Website also aims at promoting the future of the Kenyan democracy. The Internet tends to attract the young people in Kenya, who represent future voters. The more active people become in Kenya’s young democracy the more political leaders will feel accountable to the people.
The Mzalendo project envisions a future where the Internet will be an integral part in Kenya’s democratic process. This project along with other Kenyan Web sites will sponsor online interactive discussions with MPs. In addition, it will also include individual constituency blogs and will help to point out representatives’ excesses and omissions. Mzalendo website is definitely an efficient tool to keep an eye on the Kenyan democracy. Similar Web sites could become a strong force to spread democracy across the African continent.
Posted by Buzz Webster at November 19, 2007 11:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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