It’s our duty to win this war on corruption
What you need to know:
- When an MP dictates who is awarded education bursaries, deserving and needy children are left out.
- While Kenyans have demonstrated willingness to provide information related to corruption, there is lack of responsive action on the part of the government.
- I think that one of the hardest jobs in Kenya is that of a police officer manning a roadblock.
It is not easy to win the war against corruption.
Corruption has become a national tragedy whose effects are felt across the political divide.
When an MP dictates who is awarded education bursaries, deserving and needy children are left out.
When a member of the county assembly corrupts the system so that a tender is awarded to a family member or a friend’s firm, the rules of fair competition are flouted.
To fight corruption, we must set aside our tribal, political, and religious differences and face it as a common problem.
Tribalism has failed to work for us, instead only succeeding in dividing us even further.
The situation is so bad that political disagreement could spark trouble worse than the 2007/2008 violence.
A ROLE TO PLAY
The Executive, the Legislature, the clergy, civil society, and ordinary Kenyans all have a role to play in freeing this country from the bondage of corruption.
Ordinary citizens are the most exposed to corruption and this places them in an ideal position to provide information to the authorities for action.
While Kenyans have demonstrated willingness to provide information related to corruption, there is lack of responsive action on the part of the government.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has not taken any decisive action against big corruption.
The clergy, which is influential in this country, can regularly remind the flock about the disadvantages of corruption that affect the economy and retard development.
The Legislature should make serious laws to address corruption, such as harsh penalties for those found guilty of graft. They should display the same zeal that they did when they passed the security laws last year.
The Executive, headed by President Uhuru Kenyatta, has the power to worsen or improve the corruption situation.
Together with his Cabinet and other appointees in government, he should strive to leave a legacy as a regime that made big strides in fighting corruption. He can use his authority to influence legislative action to the debate on corruption.
POOR WORKING CONDITIONS
I think that one of the hardest jobs in Kenya is that of a police officer manning a roadblock.
Carrying a loaded gun in one hand and receiving a bribe with the other in the full glare of the public, which knows that you are breaking the very law you should be protecting, is not an easy task.
I do not believe that corruption thrives in the police force because of greed; I think it is because of the poor working conditions of the members of the disciplined forces. Better pay and shelter would go a long way in decreasing cases of corruption among the police.
Civil society should have a bigger presence in the rural and urban areas and continue empowering citizens by providing information and resources to assist them to keep both the national and the county governments in check.
I have no doubt that we can rewrite our country’s narrative on corruption. We need to remind ourselves every day that we, the ordinary citizens, are the foundation and spark for the progress and development of our country.
The bright future we yearn for is determined by what we do today. We must all play our part.
The writer is a communication assistant at a local NGO. ([email protected])
