Kenya’s political parties lack the basic elements that
define political parties. A political party is at the very least, a group of
people united by a common ideology, vision, moral values and common tactics and
strategies to guide the people to a better future. Our political parties are
mere conglomerates of individuals seeking presidential and other leadership
positions for self aggrandizement than political parties. No wonder senior
politicians keep shifting political parties when it suits them. As the country
gears up for elections, what leadership and integrity lessons can our political
parties learn from the Communist Party of China? The CPC offers a perfect
example of how a political party can set goals for the people, present the
right leaders for elective positions to ensure the policies are adapted and the
set goals are met.
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African countries are constantly being urged to learn
from China’s success in many areas. China is a developing country that never
ceases to amaze with its development record. The CPC has been able to set goals
for the Chinese people, implement policies to achieve the set goals and lift
majority of the Chinese people out of poverty. The Party has made enormous
achievements in social and economic development. The past decade has seen its
best years, with China becoming the world's fastest growing economy, with an
average annual growth of 10.7 percent from 2003 to 2011
It promoted reform of the political structure and
people’s democracy, strengthened social development by improving the people’s
well being and made innovations in management. Great efforts were made to
develop a strong socialist culture and pursue comprehensive, balanced and
sustainable development and ensure that all the people of China share in the
fruits of development. During the congress, the CPC announced its goal of
building a moderately prosperous society in all respects by 2020 and double GDP
and per capita income of urban and rural residents on the basis of 2010. As the
second largest single economy, through achieving steady growth, adjusting the
economic structure and improving industrialization, information and
communication, urbanization and modernization of agriculture, China has become
the engine of global economy. Over the past 10 years, China's import volume
rose by 470% and export rose by 490%, which made China the largest exporter and
second largest importer.
It is no coincidence that the Chinese leadership is up
to the task of ensuring set goals are met for the people. The party sets clear
goals and clear requirements for its elective members to be able to achieve the
set targets and the leadership is accountable to the party. A delegate only qualifies
for the CPC national congress to be elected or to participate if he or she is
an exemplary party member and possesses a sophisticated style of thinking, good
work and study habits, strong leadership skills, and a demonstrated lifelong
commitment to the virtues of fairness, honesty, and justness, displaying a high
moral and ethical character. These benchmarks are demanded by the party and
strictly adhered to ensure the leadership is up to the task.
The leader is expected to maintain close contact with
the masses and secure support of the people at the grassroots. He or she must
be capable of handling businesses, able to accurately convey the opinions and
the demands of other party members and the masses, and correctly exercise the
democratic rights of party members. A large proportion of delegates to the CPC
conference and those seeking elective posts are party members who have made
outstanding contributions in various sectors and undertakings in the economy,
science and technology, national defense, politics and law, education, public
relations, public health, culture and sports among other significant
achievements.
Kenyan political parties and politics could benefit
the nation a great deal if some of the CPC party benchmarks are adopted. With
lack of principled and dependable leadership, anarchy is part and parcel of the
life of political parties in the country. To be a party, people must be united
by a common ideology, vision, discipline and moral values and most importantly,
a goal to drive development and well being of the country.
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