Sometimes back in 2009, the then
Minister for Finance, Amos Kimunya, cheered on by his tribesmen and women in
his Kipipiri backyard, uttered the words, ‘’I rather die than resign”. This was
in response to the Grand Regency typhoon that was about to wash him away. Days
later, thousands of miles away in the capital city, Kimunya was a humbled man
as then Ikholomani legislator, Bonni Khalwale successfully forced him out in a fierce motion that brought the
house to a standstill! Kimunya had to pay for the scam that described the sale
of Grand Regency and the consequent change of name to Laico Regency.
Almost eight years later, corruption has
engulfed the National Assembly, Office of President, State Ministries, County
Governments and County assemblies. Corruption has never reared its ugly head
this vicious in post-colonial Kenya! The chilling revelation that we lose
nearly Sh 300billion of our annual budget to this evil, epitomize how low we
have sank and accepted corruption. We are a dishonest nation! Our politicians
and public officials loot our coffers, grow big bellies and when the moment of
truth comes calling, chants of mtu wetu
or our tribe is being hunted, fill
the air! It is funny how, we are willing to play refuge to those who steal from
our taxes, despite knowing very well how corruption has eaten our economy.
During his State of the Nation address
this week, President Uhuru moved the house and the legislators cheered on as he
talked tough against corruption. As expected, Uhuru exhibited the bravado that
if put into action, would run all corrupt men out of town!
However, in the midst of the cheering
legislators and cabinet secretaries in the House, on Wednesday afternoon, sat
suspects of corruption and all manner of abuse of public funds. Their names
have been wash on the media and the entire nation knows them. The question is,
will the heads roll? Will President Kenyatta crack the whip and walk his tough
talk on corruption? It is a game of wait and see! Meanwhile as we cry and
bemoan how corrupt and scandalous our public officials have become, we must
congratulate Uhuru for his tough talk. Maybe, it was a speech well written to
accomplish Public Relations, or indeed he meant every word. The coming weeks
will either vilify or crucify Mr. President.
Allegations of corruption within the
Public Accounts Committee (PAC), opened the can of wounds and exposed how
corrupt our legislators have become. Cabinet ministers and Principal Secretaries
in the current government, Members of County Assemblies in the 47 counties and
Governors have all been adversely mentioned in the murky waters of corruption.Infact,
the list of suspects released by the MumoMtaemu-led Ethics and Anti-Corruption
Commission (EACC), paints a grim picture of how deeply rooted the vice has
become in the Public service.Most of our public offices reek of corruption. Our
national assembly and County assemblies are full of corruption suspects. Once
every five years, we elect leaders whose names are co-joined to all corruption
scams.
Under-developed and shambolic health
systems that cannot efficiently serve Kenyans, poor education systems, infiltration
of illegal immigrants and terrorists, deaths on our roads, economic deprivation
and high taxation rates. These are some of the harsh penalties that Kenyans
continue to pay for abetting and socializing corruption! But can we afford to
keep paying these unwanted prices? Absolutely, No.
Unless president Uhuru bites the bullet
and walks the tough talk that he delivered to the nation in his annual State of
the Nation address, then corruption will forever find a haven in our public
offices. To date, Amos Kimunya remains the best casualty of corruption and one
who duly paid the price. BonniKhalwale, currently Kakamega Senator, remains as
the example of Kenyan leaders who have fought corruption and did all the way to
ensuring the culprits take full responsibility.
Mr. President, the ball is in your
court. Make sure you rise to the occasion! The entire nation is watching!
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