Opinion
Ocampo Six shouldn’t run for high office
Posted Tuesday, January 10 2012 at 20:00
In a truly civilised and democratic society, anybody who is under investigations, or who has been indicted for crimes against humanity should never be allowed to stand for any elective public post.
And even after the suspect has been legally absolved in a court of law, he needs to stand aside for some time, to allow society to took at him afresh, just to ensure he is truly innocent.
The recent example in point is that of Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the former French head of the IMF who was accused of raping a hotel worker in New York.
Although Kahn was earlier to contest the French presidency, after his imbroglio in the rape case, he immediately withdrew from his earlier political plan.
Or take the case of Herman Cain, the black American who had intended to fight for the Republican nomination.
He was doing well in the nomination polls, but soon after he was accused of involvement in adulterous relations with several American women, he was forced to withdraw from the contest.
The Europeans have learnt that caution is ideal in handling individuals with alleged anti-social proclivities.
Take the case of Adolf Hitler and his gang in the 1920s and 1930s, when their anti-social activities were tolerated and were even cheered by so-called Deutsh patriots.
On January 30, 1933, he seized power and began to eliminate political parties and opponents.
As the “Fuhrer” of the German Reich, he forced officials and soldiers to swear an oath of allegiance to him.
The rest of the German history until the end of World War II, is open history, which the entire Europe has not forgotten.
In our case, looking back at the crimes which William Ruto, Uhuru Kenyatta and Henry Kosgey have been charged with, we have been puzzlingly over-lenient in allowing them to carry on, politically, as if the charges do not concern us.
Just to jog your memory, these Kenyans are suspected to have organised the murder and brutalisation of thousands of innocent fellow Kenyans over the contested post-election violence.
Why have we allowed them to campaign freely amongst us as if nothing is amiss?
What would happen if either Ruto or Uhuru became president and was later confirmed by the International Criminal Court to be guilty? Would we have the guts to tell either to step down?
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Submitted by cleanitPosted January 13, 2012 12:01 PM
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Submitted by prophet6
Prof. Kenya is different from the ideal. If you don't feel like u don't want to vote for them, don't. We've had enough of this.
Posted January 13, 2012 11:32 AM -
Submitted by kmmohan
Prof., you did your best but it's not convincing when juxtaposed in relation to Kenya. Kenya has been a sovereign democratic republic throughout thru' the reign of 3 presidents. But the problem is in Kenya democracy is the same as in other countries only in spelling. Otherwise it was a series of dictatorships we were subjected to. With-the-advent-of-the-new-constitution-things-are-changing-albeit-sluggishly.-A-concerted-effort-is underway-to-emasculate-it-,though.
Posted January 13, 2012 08:50 AM -
Submitted by Muokunation
In away you are right,but we are innocent until proved guilty of the offence.
Posted January 13, 2012 05:44 AM -
Submitted by shakathezulu
Even without comparing our country to the western democracies(things work in these countries and criminals are truly prosecuted, and stay in jail, regardless of what people in this blog think) the most honourable thing for anybody who aspires to be a leader is to step aside and allow investigations to be completed. A change of attitude among the voters is a must, for them to stop forming protective cocoons around their so called people..mtu wetu!
Posted January 11, 2012 08:19 PM
RSS
Some things are quite obvious and to see elements like @Whiplash in defense is highly inconceivable and MUST be ignored by civilized Kenyans. Their clout is a gone ideology and has no place in modern Kenya, if they don't understand this, then a revolution will suffice.