Corruption has destroyed Kenya. Do we need a conference to recognise we have this disease?

Corruption has destroyed kenya

February 9th, 2009

Raila’s latest talk shop was a big sham

By Edward Kisiang’ani

A conference christened ‘The Kenya We Want’ has just been concluded at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre. But this seminar was hardly unprecedented.

About three decades ago, a similar conference under the same theme was held at the Kenya Institute of Administration, Kabete. The Kabete deliberations have, however, not been implemented.

It is thus tempting to wonder why the KICC conference was called when it was obvious its recommendations would be shelved.

Considering that Vision 2030 blueprint has already given the pathway to social, political and economic transformation, ‘the Kenya We Want’ convention was an unnecessary sideshow.

Graced by, among others, President Kibaki, Prime Minister Raila Odinga, the Cabinet, former President Moi, several MPs, ambassadors, civil servants and business people from the private sector, the meeting had another conspicuous feature. It was largely patronised by leaders who have, in the past, nurtured and benefited from the Kenya we do not want. Given that a few of these leaders are still influential political operatives, nothing useful is likely to be executed from the recommendations.

It would appear to me that the organisers of the conference were guided by the false assumption that Kenyans are yet to determine the type of country they would like to have. Nothing can be farther from the truth. As evidenced during the 2004 constitutional discussions at the Bomas of Kenya, majority of citizens know what type of country they want.

Although the ordinary people would like to live in a society that is free of the ethnic cancer, our political leadership has consistently exploited the tribal agenda to perpetuate social and economic injustices. Instead of serving the entire country, political leaders — from the President, down to the councillors — have tended to prioritise the interests of their communities. Do we need a conference to recognise we have this disease?

Corruption has destroyed kenya

Furthermore, citizens are abundantly aware that corruption has destroyed this nation. In virtually every aspect of our public life — the police, the hospitals, Government ministries, the churches and the private sector — corruption is a way of life. Will those who stole both the Anglo-Leasing and Goldenberg money ever be apprehended? What about those who have been in involved in the maize, fuel, and sugar scandals?

Only the other day, the Serious Fraud Office in London that had initially undertaken to assist Kenya unravel the Anglo-Leasing mystery, called off the investigation, citing lack of co-operation from the Government.

Because of corruption, public institutions are clinically dead. The Executive abuse of power has for a long time undermined the efficiency of both the Legislature and the Judiciary. All public servants who attended the conference know the institutions they serve are rotten. As a result, public confidence in the Government has waned. Do we need a conference to help us recognise this reality?

Indeed, Kenya’s story is one of retarded development characterised by missed opportunities, unfulfilled dreams and political dishonesty. Where are the reforms the Narc administration promised in 2003?

Did we have a new constitution in the first 100 days of the Narc rule? Where are the 500,000 jobs a year, which we were promised six years ago?

By declining to allow the taxation of their hefty allowances, MPs have lost the moral authority to inspire the genuine transformation of our republic. Do we need a conference to persuade ourselves that we need a new crop of leaders?

Besides biting unemployment and poverty, 10 million Kenyans are starving. The reason for this calamity is not that the rains failed; rather, poor planning; caused by, among other factors, our perennial over-dependence on the unpredictable rain-dependant agriculture.

State of unemployment

Insecurity has assumed worrying dimensions. What else do we expect when those supposed to be in useful employment are jobless? As the Government looks helpless, thousands of people are being maimed or killed by armed thugs. In parts of Kisii and central Kenya, relatively wealthy citizens cannot spend a night in their rural homes unless they invite police officers to keep them company.

To most families, access to affordable health care is a nightmare. Furthermore, the countrywide percentage of people who can access safe drinking water is really small.

Our voices have been clear that we want a prosperous and corruption-free country; a nation with clean drinking water, jobs, low fuel prices, sufficient food, good infrastructure, acceptable security, affordable healthcare, quality education; a country without ethnic hostilities.

The diagnosis of Kenya’s ailments has been done. What is required now is the cure. It is a waste of time and money for this Government to organise an expensive conference, in the midst of starvation, with the aim of asking questions whose answers are known.

Instead of investing in conferences, we should boldly focus on the reform agenda by directing our thoughts and resources to the project of enacting a constitution, which captures the wishes of all the citizens.