NEWS GANG: What if we directed ‘BBI energies’ to all our national endeavours?

JAMILA: Our final word tonight keeps in line with the events of the day, and we here submit the Memo, Take, Punchline and Kicker all put together into what the Supreme Court would aptly call a consolidated petition.

FRANCIS: Indeed, today was another special day for Kenya. Regardless or 'irregardless' where you stand on the BBI question, today was a great day to be a Kenyan. A great day because once again, the majesty of our judicial processes was on display in all its glory.

YVONNE: Let's start with a disclaimer here; this gang is an unapologetic friend, ally, cheerleader of every single well functioning, public-spirited and earnest public institution. We have proclaimed it before, we love it when we see the Judiciary making endeavours to claim its place in the management of our affairs, especially the wellness of our constitution.

LINUS: And indeed, the Constitution has been one very public test for the country's Judiciary. From the High Court to the Court of Appeal and today the Supreme Court, the last one year has vindicated the Judiciary. BBI tested the Judiciary's budding institutional and decisional independence and though not to perfection, the picture is promising.

JAMILA: And promise we proudly acknowledge tonight, as displayed so ably from both ends of our law courts right through the three stages of the BBI court journey. From the steady hands of the old hands in the bar to the emerging restlessly eloquent legal cubs and on to the rich benches of increasingly courageous star-judges, we have reason to hope for an ideal Judiciary.

FRANCIS: We also have a reason to let out that collective sigh of relief because to a large extent, and we say this without claims to any judicial expertise, the Judiciary is fast learning not to burn its own fingers. BBI was a tricky matter, complete with external and who knows, internal pressure of a kind we can only imagine.

YVONNE: Now, we shall end the imagination there and now turn to our consolidated petition tonight. After watching the energy, friction, resolve, rugged determination and resilience that was attended to BBI and other political issues, we couldn't help asking, what if?

LINUS: Indeed, what if we directed the same energy including the judicial efficiency and courtroom firepower to confront the mother of all our ills - corruption? What if the Judiciary granted anti-corruption cases the same expeditious treatment that attended to BBI? We are just asking what if?

JAMILA: And what if the same energy was directed at ensuring that institutions mandated to lead that war on corruption functioned efficiently? Whether it is the police service or the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, how about the Directorate of Criminal Investigation, the Directorate of Public Prosecutions...and back to those court corridors again...What if?

FRANCIS: Yes, what if we just distributed our energies equally. Shouldn't we, for example, grant CBC the same attention we gave BBI? What if we just worked towards some uniformity, some harmony in the pursuit of the collective endeavours of our nation? What if?

YVONNE: Our 'what ifs' are endless. That is because, we realise just like you do, that there is so much around us that reminds us of our best potential. Our courts, imperfect as they are; misplaced as their priorities may be, have slowly been showcasing its potential and they say, a journey of a thousand miles starts with one step.

LINUS: Let's now take the next step of spreading our great energy around. For a start, let's spare some positive energy for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) which has a huge assignment coming up this August. An efficient and credible election should be the next great statement about us.

JAMILA: That is in August and for you the IEBC. But there is something more immediate for which we petition the political class tonight. The rising cost of living especially the skyrocketing food prices is a grave matter. Our petition tonight, bring those food prices down now. And give it your highest priority.

By Linus Kaikai, Jamila Mohammed, Yvonne Okwara-Matole, and Francis Gachuri