THE KENYAN INTEGRITY ROT!

Integrity by office holders, both elected and appointees has become the latest yardstick for determining suitability of candidates, thanks to the new constitution. The integrity clause that the new law has introduced has literally the country into a swirl state. Politicians and all leaders in public officers have never been under such pressure to exercise integrity and uphold it. This is a stark contrast from the yesteryears where integrity was the preserve of the willing, those naturally used to the integrity-driven way of life! Integrity was simply a faux-pas.

The scrutiny of the integrity lens has shattered the dreams and careers of senior civil servants. Politicians are next in the casualty line! One wonders just how our leadership of the past 49 years had literally pushed integrity to the back foot. Perhaps it explains why our national leadership has delivered mega-scandals; looting of the public coffers and unmatched lust for misappropriating money, yet the culprits hang onto office. Political witch-hunt and apparent tribal decimation are the potent tactics of defense that the suspects use. This is how suspects of Grand-Regency, Anglo-leasing, Goldenberg, Kazi kwa Vijana and Free primary education scandals among others are still in office and command a near fanatical tribal and ethnic following. These guys promise us heaven while they are so sure that hell is what they give the ordinary Kenyan. But is this rot only from the leadership side? No, I do not think that is the case. On the contrary, it is a rot by the Kenyan society. A people who have lost respect for morals and values, yet demand morally correct leadership!

We expect so much from our politicians, as though they come from a different planet! These men and women are our dads, mums, uncles and aunts.  They are victims of the societal rot. University students use mwakenya’s in exam rooms, cause mayhem, vandalize business premises and stone innocent motorists under the guise of strikes. These are the same students who call for responsible and exemplary leadership from our legislators. Whenever honorable law-makers throw stones and engage in some primitive theatrics, these students come out guns blazing, united in condemnation of the culprits!  Is this the double-faced society that Kenya has become?

The Kenyan roads are not different either. Motorists bribe cops to buy their way out of traffic offences. Motorists no longer heed common-sense calls meant to ensure their safety. This explains why warnings such as Do not Drink and Drive have been relegated to the gutter. Kenyans completely drink out their senses yet take to the wheel and drive their way to the grave. It literally takes the government to save the lives of these Kenyans, who apparently care less about their own lives! Kenya is indeed the ushenzi society!

Corruption is a deeply rooted vice that represents the real face of the Kenyan society. It is the incurable ailment. Kenyans engage in corrupt dealings every other day. Kitu kidogo and chai are the fees that determine how services are delivered. However, whenever, one solicits for these bribes in bigger offices, Kenyans cry foul and decry the corrupt offices.

Votes are traded for money. Unruly youths are given some few coins and cheap brews, just to cause chaos at political rallies. The country is balkanized along tribal and ethnic lines, yet we flock churches to pray for peaceful elections. Politicians and ordinary Kenyans alike, dance with the devil at night and shake hands with God’s angels during the day. This is the double face that our society has become. A society of double standards where justice to the poor and marginalized is still a distant cry!

However, we not yet doomed as a nation. We have a minority people who are spearheading change and reform in the entire society, both in small and big ways. These are the people who need our unwavering support for the well-being of our society.

 We need to grow up as a nation before we demand for grown-up leadership.

WHAT NEXT FOR KENYA?

After a fractious four years of a coalition government, the March 2013 polls are barely three months away. An election is looming in the horizon and we must get a new tenant to occupy the house on the hill. This is an election that has showed all the signs of being an explosive one. Ground-shaking alliances and separations have already shaken the political landscape to its core. Battle lines have already being drawn and potential candidates are raring to go.  The punda na farasi wawili storylines have become real, at least going by the CORD and JUBILEE alliances. These two divides have brought together strange bed-fellows, all by a myriad of reasons. Form political survival to the Hague nightmare, these are the unshakable inspirations that have driven our politicians to these alliances.

However, at the backdrop of all these is the politically instigated bloodbath of 2007-2008, that as a nation, we are yet to recover from, at least fully. The world is watching to see if we have truly learned from that bitter post-election experience. As the late minister for Internal Security, Prof. George Saitoti, said, the world is indeed watching and we can ill-afford to fail, for if we do, the world will not give us a second chance. The man is sadly gone, leaving in our hands this huge responsibility. We have tremendously moved, in an effort to ensure that the ghosts of 07-08 do not revisit us; a new constitution is in place and surgical reforms, both in the police force and the judiciary have followed suit.

The key suspects of the post-poll quagmire are awaiting full trial at The Hague. The so –called small fish are also facing their moment of truth in our Kenyan courts. However, poor Kenyans, who bore the brunt of this post-poll bloodletting, are still in the tents, four years down the line. But as a country, have we really moved in a direction that will help us remain a united nation after next year’s elections? This is a question that the entire is grappling with. My instincts, compounded by the ugly scenes that are unfolding in some parts of Kenya, tell me that we are yet to learn. Talk of poor students of history!

The Tana Delta is burning. Barely three months since the infamous Kilelengwani massacre, where at least 100 Kenyans were butchered, has violence struck once again. In the latest attack, at least 40 people were killed. It is only after the deaths that the police come out, guns blazing to assure already disillusioned residents of their security. Welcome to Kenya, where the massacre of more than 30 civilians is apparently not big enough to demand the attention of the country’s bigwigs. Some distance away Mombasa; there is the issue of the Mombasa Republican Council (MRC) that must surely keep the region’s security apparatus on their toes. Funny groupings like Nyuki, all bent on causing havoc in the region have cropped up.  Must all these groups rise in the run-up to the general elections?

In Kisumu, the Chinese and Marine groups are up, all meant to cause mayhem in this tense political climate. These are really uncertain times for the country. Sadly, a section of our country’s youths never learn and will always be there to execute primitive political tactics in exchange for some cheap brews and a few coins! When you see able-bodied young men publicly being coerced to swear that they will part company with stone-throwing, even in the madness of political heat, then you realize that indeed this is a people who have lost the plot.

Then there is the Baragoi massacre, where at least 40 police officers were slaughtered in Suguta valley; the valley of death. This is the worst attack on our police force in post-colonial Kenya, where some daring cattle-rustlers unleashed havoc on the very people entrusted with ensuring the respect of the rule of law. In its aftermath, the chilling stories of what could have led to this massacre must have surely scared the nation. You must see the trouble that as a county we are in, considering that police officers are mercilessly killed, then what will happen to the ordinary Kenyan? Grenades and other improvised explosive devices are now claiming the lives of both the officers and the citizens. Then in what many will consider the height of daring the devil, three officers of the armed forces were shot at in Garissa. They all succumbed to the bullet. This is unpalatable.

Chief Justice Willy Mutunga and his people at the now reformed judiciary, offer the only hope to all these madness. The perseverance of our judges and magistrates is what is deterring some old-fashioned fellows from engaging in primitive behavior, under the guise of political tension. The judiciary is literally living every word of our national anthem that, justice be our shield and defender. They are the soldiers of reform, fighting tirelessly to slay the merchants of impunity and disrespect to the law.

As the election countdown enters its homestretch, politicians are all making all manner of promises. As usual, this has sent the country into frenzy and Kenyans, in their masses are getting lost in this heat. We have literally forgotten that election swill come and go and that these problems call for our undivided attention. President Kibaki famously said that elections are not a lifetime event. We will cast our vote and go back home to our problems and challenges. This is what Kenyans never listen to. As a country we eat and live politics while teething problems continue to give us tiring days and sleepless nights.

A truly sad Kenyan scenario!

WHAT NEXT FOR KENYA?

After a fractious four years of a coalition government, the March 2013 polls are barely three months away. An election is looming in the horizon and we must get a new tenant to occupy the house on the hill. This is an election that has showed all the signs of being an explosive one. Ground-shaking alliances and separations have already shaken the political landscape to its core. Battle lines have already being drawn and potential candidates are raring to go.  The punda na farasi wawili storylines have become real, at least going by the CORD and JUBILEE alliances. These two divides have brought together strange bed-fellows, all by a myriad of reasons. Form political survival to the Hague nightmare, these are the unshakable inspirations that have driven our politicians to these alliances.

However, at the backdrop of all these is the politically instigated bloodbath of 2007-2008, that as a nation, we are yet to recover from, at least fully. The world is watching to see if we have truly learned from that bitter post-election experience. As the late minister for Internal Security, Prof. George Saitoti, said, the world is indeed watching and we can ill-afford to fail, for if we do, the world will not give us a second chance. The man is sadly gone, leaving in our hands this huge responsibility. We have tremendously moved, in an effort to ensure that the ghosts of 07-08 do not revisit us; a new constitution is in place and surgical reforms, both in the police force and the judiciary have followed suit.

The key suspects of the post-poll quagmire are awaiting full trial at The Hague. The so –called small fish are also facing their moment of truth in our Kenyan courts. However, poor Kenyans, who bore the brunt of this post-poll bloodletting, are still in the tents, four years down the line. But as a country, have we really moved in a direction that will help us remain a united nation after next year’s elections? This is a question that the entire is grappling with. My instincts, compounded by the ugly scenes that are unfolding in some parts of Kenya, tell me that we are yet to learn. Talk of poor students of history!

The Tana Delta is burning. Barely three months since the infamous Kilelengwani massacre, where at least 100 Kenyans were butchered, has violence struck once again. In the latest attack, at least 40 people were killed. It is only after the deaths that the police come out, guns blazing to assure already disillusioned residents of their security. Welcome to Kenya, where the massacre of more than 30 civilians is apparently not big enough to demand the attention of the country’s bigwigs. Some distance away Mombasa; there is the issue of the Mombasa Republican Council (MRC) that must surely keep the region’s security apparatus on their toes. Funny groupings like Nyuki, all bent on causing havoc in the region have cropped up.  Must all these groups rise in the run-up to the general elections?

In Kisumu, the Chinese and Marine groups are up, all meant to cause mayhem in this tense political climate. These are really uncertain times for the country. Sadly, a section of our country’s youths never learn and will always be there to execute primitive political tactics in exchange for some cheap brews and a few coins! When you see able-bodied young men publicly being coerced to swear that they will part company with stone-throwing, even in the madness of political heat, then you realize that indeed this is a people who have lost the plot.

Then there is the Baragoi massacre, where at least 40 police officers were slaughtered in Suguta valley; the valley of death. This is the worst attack on our police force in post-colonial Kenya, where some daring cattle-rustlers unleashed havoc on the very people entrusted with ensuring the respect of the rule of law. In its aftermath, the chilling stories of what could have led to this massacre must have surely scared the nation. You must see the trouble that as a county we are in, considering that police officers are mercilessly killed, then what will happen to the ordinary Kenyan? Grenades and other improvised explosive devices are now claiming the lives of both the officers and the citizens. Then in what many will consider the height of daring the devil, three officers of the armed forces were shot at in Garissa. They all succumbed to the bullet. This is unpalatable.

Chief Justice Willy Mutunga and his people at the now reformed judiciary, offer the only hope to all these madness. The perseverance of our judges and magistrates is what is deterring some old-fashioned fellows from engaging in primitive behavior, under the guise of political tension. The judiciary is literally living every word of our national anthem that, justice be our shield and defender. They are the soldiers of reform, fighting tirelessly to slay the merchants of impunity and disrespect to the law.

As the election countdown enters its homestretch, politicians are all making all manner of promises. As usual, this has sent the country into frenzy and Kenyans, in their masses are getting lost in this heat. We have literally forgotten that election swill come and go and that these problems call for our undivided attention. President Kibaki famously said that elections are not a lifetime event. We will cast our vote and go back home to our problems and challenges. This is what Kenyans never listen to. As a country we eat and live politics while teething problems continue to give us tiring days and sleepless nights.

A truly sad Kenyan scenario!

A COUNTRY PLAGUED BY PERENNIAL PRETENDERS

Ee Mungu nguvu

Ilete Baraka kwetu

Haki iwe ngao na mlinzi

Natukae na undugu

Amani na uhuru

Raha tupate na ustawi........ goes the first stanza of our national anthem. These are the sweet tunes that were first sung when we attained independence in 1963, a song that the freedom fighters of this nation proudly sang and walked every word. They dreamt of a Kenya that will be a true manifestation of this anthem. These words of our national anthem are supposed to rally the country for a common cause, sadly the very opposite happens.

Sadly, as we prepare to celebrate 50 years as a sovereign state in 2013, we are living the exact opposite of our national anthem! Kenya has been plagued by a pretentious political class coupled by an equally ostentatious electorate and a religious class that has lost its original cause and consequent command of God’s sheep!

Whenever we flock Nyayo National stadium for national celebrations, waving miniature flags and humming patriotic tunes, one gets the fallacy that Kenya is indeed a great nation that is home to some of the best people on the planet. No, I beg to differ with this. I have substantive reasons to back my stand.

Our politics are dictated and played along ethnic contours, whereby tribal power-brokers and chieftains determine who gets which post. Welcome to a country whereby candidates with issues and policies but wanting on the tribal factor never get the opportunity to ascend to positions of leadership. We do not see rivals from other communities as Kenyan leaders; rather we view them through the tribal and ethnic lens. The same old leaders are recycled back to power every five years. The result is mega-corruption and scandals that shamelessly loot from the public coffers. Integrity of these high offices is unheard off. Looters of public money continue to hold offices yet petty-offenders like chicken thieves and wallet- snatchers are ruthlessly dealt with!

We have created so much fuss about the new constitutional dispensation and how it will change our lives for the better, yet we are still holding strong to the impunity and disregard of the law, that characterized the yester-years. New laws that threaten the status quo are passionately fought by our politicians. Kenyans, in their masses join in the bandwagon to fight the truly patriotic Kenyans. The politicians hold hands together with Kenyans and merrily savor victory! The ethnic factor has been successfully used by some politicians to mobilize Kenyans in perpetuating corruption, incompetent leadership and abuse of office that has brought unmatched pain to the tax-payer. Politicians, who try to straighten the unfortunate bents of our history, are warded off by the negative ethnicity that continues to dominate our politics. Perhaps this explains the sad reality that the Peter Kenneth’s and Martha Karua’s of this nation may never lead the country! Remember, the late Wangari Maathai, despite her unmatched patriotism and work to the nation, just served a single term as a legislator! These trends tell you that indeed, just as Jesus Christ; the Kenyan prophet may never be recognized at home. Instead this is the responsibility of the outside world!

Our religious leaders have lost control of the very people that they are supposed to lead. Whatever we are getting from this Holy profession is gospel prosperity, whereby miracles have apparently replaced hard work as the key to prosperity! Churches have popped up in every corner of the city. Apparently, more and more Kenyans are embracing the teachings of the holy book. But flashing back to the 2007-2008 bloodbath, you begin to see the religious hoodwink that has become of Kenyans. The very Kenyans across the country who flock churches and other places of worship are the same people who hacked each other with machetes, swords and pangas. Others managed to use the deadly arsenal such as bows and arrows and guns to destroy God-given lives in the name of settling political scores! Religious hypocrisy is slowly but surely breaking the Kenyan back.

Our founding fathers envisaged the fight against ignorance, communicable diseases and poverty as the pillars of building Kenya. However, 49 years down the line, this endeavor has proved elusive. We are still far from achieving this. Huge disparities in infrastructural development and access to health, education among other fronts characterize Kenya today. The gods are not to blame for this. As Kenyans, we have been the engineers and architects of the troubles facing the country.

We must act decisively and make the future brighter. Destiny is in our hands!