INSTITUTIONALIZING CORRUPTION

SOCIALIZATION IN A CORRUPT SOCIETY

Corruption should be the worst acts in our modern history, albeit in human history. In my honest opinion it is one of the most demoralizing acts, one that leaves me wondering how on earth we can accept to stoop so low to such. Corruption builds a lawless society where we consciously accept to kill our morals and condone out right human killings and underdevelopment; through the ripple effects that corruption brings about. I at times subconsciously akin bribe taking by the law enforcing institutions of our republic, the traffic police for instance as extension officers from the Kenya Revenue Authority. Even though I cannot fathom exactly how much they collect daily, but one thing is sure the economy stand to lose from such acts that go scot free avoiding the taxman noose at their watch! The loss must be in billions!!

The duration to stump out these scourge as I would like to call it, is what concerns me. I take the judicial system in the country for instance. It took close to half a century for it to barely be credible . Thanks to the Judicial Reforms that had been undertaken with some credible seriousness and which at last bore some fruits. I hope the police reforms too will follow suit but this time round in an amicable  manner  and swift time frame, given its sensitivity and its significance to the public and the region at whole.

I really don’t have anything personal with the law enforcing sector though, but it being at the top in the country on corruption and bribery clearly worries me to the bone. How on earth can a country be in a state of lawlessness? Or let me call it institutionalized corruption… I know it sounds so surreal given that life moves on and may be it does not affect everyone at the same time to create ‘the crisis’ but surely this is totally absurd. ( Kenya Police top three most corrupt in EA  http://bit.ly/14fpSHS)

Being socialized into this kind of rot is even more dangerous given the ripple effect it will generate. A society that accepts to toa kitu kidogo to have certain services and acts be done, which according to the law are supposed to be offered freely. I am not wrong to claim that this mentality of tuna omba serikali is a product of this socialization. 

It is therefore rife for the public in general and the government to fast track reforms in all major institutions and bring about a culture and a norm where responsibility and integrity are held close to everyone’s heart. This will help transform the county and its subjects into a conscious society that gives no room to apathy and lack of responsibility especially in state owned institutions. It’s with this kind of socialization where individuals who have failed to deliver or who have failed to stop a menace, will find it morally right to resign and give other technocrats a chance to bring sanity in former organizations.

NAIROBI AND ITS LEADERSHIP; DOES IT RING A BELL

Unique Leadership

The current politics and campaigns going on in Kenya capitals Nairobi has been characterized by peculiar leadership and a change of style in policy enforcement  by the  elected politicians in the city.  To some it looks unique, but to some it could be a sweetened revolution; where the sidelined in the city who are also the majority have saliently found a way to solving their problems through electing leaders who are good in attracting the media’s attention, leaders who hear their pleas, wishes and more so those are apt in fighting injustice and also who will hopefully reduce the gap between the rich and the poor.

To the enlightened (who many don not usually vote) this kind of move is dangerous and more likely to hinder the development of the city in various capacities. To them the kind of leadership is likened to a lawless one, where lawlessness enthralls above law and order. According to them laws are broken and violated, disobeyed or transgressed upon either ignorantly or deliberately.

Code of conduct

The code of conduct and ethics of these new breed of politicians is way different from their predecessors who were more tolerant and used passive means in solving and tackling various problems and situations facing the city dwellers.

The new, young and sleek politicians have therefore found a way to steal the show. Their dress codes alone (for some) are not any different from the urban hip-hop artists. 

Morality

During the first ever presidential debate in Kenya one of the presidential candidate who stole the show with his own way of expressing views and points one Mr. Muhamed Abduba Dida, in one of the sessions questioned the audience and the hundreds of thousands of viewers on the society’s moral ground in electing ‘Waititu and not Jimnah’ for the Nairobi Gubernatorial post during the party nominations that had just been concluded. Jimnah has worked in various top jobs the key one being the CEO of Nairobi Securities Exchange and many more top ranking jobs in the corporate sector and also serves in various boards within the country. Waititu on the other side has been a councilor and the cities deputy mayor and is known for his good rapport with the cities sidelined majority given his relentless efforts in fighting against any form of injustice facing them. Oftenly he has been found in the wrong side of the law, pelting stones together with his supporters to law enforcers who to them have been ‘protecting’ the interest of cities bourgeoisies. 

It is such acts that really worries many. His argument is usually simple, ‘Is it wrong to stone one who grabs public land’ the ‘masses’ (majority) reply will always be a big no! While the remaining few, will perceive it as an act of lawlessness.

Making history

We are making history here, we are yet to celebrate our 50^th anniversary since we became independent . The choices we make now will set a precedence and we therefore need to be sober enough to see through the twilight and past the horizon. Learning by mistake is not usually the wisest thing, but for the prudent realizing such a hurdle helps a lot in the realization of a progressive and smooth development. We are the judges so let’s choose what best suits us! Above it all lets do it peacefully.

LOVE

LOVE

It’s the month of love, February and Valentines is around the corner. And as we approach it lets also factor in our love for humanity as Kenyans. Elections is neigh and we should thus let love be the overriding factor and let it be always our source of strength.  This is because love above everything else possesses traits that enable peaceful coexistence, among a society; and thus portraying civility.

Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep records of wrongs; love is not happy with evil, but is happy with truth. Love never gives up; and its faith, hope and patience never fail. 
With this in practice, as a nation we will soar high. We should therefore embrace valentines day as  a day where special appreciation to humanity too is upheld.

Just a thought.

POLITICS NATION

The current wave of politics being witnessed around the country has been an interesting twist of events! It has for sure caught many unaware. Leaving euphoria and political mind games behind these events, Kenyans should be able to learn from these great insight openers. The political alliances of previous ‘political foes’ in the political scenes should clearly send a strong signal to Kenyans.

The coalition of politicians to achieve their interests is unmatched to their flocks (the citizens), who themselves cannot do the same to have their interests and needs met. Sadly enough though the politician’s possess the power to have their political fanatics hate and murder each other, all in the name of supporting ‘our leader’. This was witnessed in the 2007-2008 elections where Kenyans turned against each other. 

I hope the recent political mergers and bonding of political parties will help Kenyans in understanding that in politics there are no permanent friends and enemies.  It’s high time the citizens begin to learn from them. Not only does it happen in parliament when passing bills that favors them at wee hours of the dark but also during the eve of political transitions. Political marriages as it has been popularly referred to by the local media have characterized the country’s political scenes leaving citizens aghast! If only could the Kenyan citizens know how to come together like their leaders to demand and for their needs and best strategise  on how they can achieve them then their lives will never again be the same again.

The citizens should also learn to demand for issues based politics and avoid cheap politics based on non-inclusion; hate and unethical political malice .They should rather strive to be always demanding of their rights and be assertive of actions and responsibilities of their leaders and importantly their independent actions and contributions too!

The vetting of politicians to meet the standards required by the constitution should also be taken seriously. The integrity chapter in the Kenyan constitution (Chapter 6) is the best means of stumping out the bad leaders who have ailed the country for long. With leaders who have been vetted in place the country will be able to start a fresh with a new spirit ready to serve people and not themselves as it has been in the previous past. Government matters and also the public issues will be dealt with integrity and conscious political responsibility. This will mean that the citizens will be able to get the best out of their leaders!

All these is about to be realized, if only and only citizens gets to be united by their common interest just as their leaders have been able to show no differences and collude to achieve their interest. The focus here to all the citizens should be getting their rightful piece of cake nothing more and nothing less. They should do it with wholeness and in a right manner with morals and not at wee hours like the MPs and other corrupt deals done in darkness. With such levels of consciousness and will to act Kenyans will be ready to go! Kenyans therefore can happily change their game plan by stealing the show from their ‘MPIGs’ and running away with it!!

AN ARRAY OF HOPE or It’s just another prank!

AN ARRAY OF HOPE or It’s just another prank!

The recent developmental projects and proposals have been the country’s finest ever undertaken agendas. The projects are in line with the standards laid down in the vision 2030. The government has to a big extend achieved what everyone has been longing to see them undertaken. Kenyans have in the last few years been mesmerized by the capacity and potential that they themselves posses, these being how their hard earned levied money can eke great developments when properly managed.

Infrastructural developments however have been prioritized, making development to be one sided and not holistic per se; especially with the high inflation rate currently and the increase in tax rates to help finance these projects in place. The few sectors that have been given priority include the transport sector; especially the road, air and to some extend water transport, though indirectly. The rail transport has been left in wobbles greatly affecting heavy manufacturing industries and low income earning citizens who used to benefit a lot from it! This is a concern and a great impediment to the countries take off plans.

There can be more than what meets the eye on some these upcoming mega projects though. It should concern all on how the layouts of these projects have been established. The timing; the procurement of these tenders; the controversy surrounding the unexplained changes made to arrive at who will get certain tenders are some of the main eye brow raisers. It is the duty of every citizen to ensure that these projects are completed in time to enable the realization of their benefits at the right time. Some of these mega projects are:

Coal mining in Ukambani

The Ukambani region is one area endowed with great natural resources ranging from sand, rich agricultural soil and a good variety of stones and rocks and now coal in Kitui add more valuables to their resource basket. The region with its vast resources though has for a long time suffered from various predicaments, socio-economic being primary. This would not be the case with proper management. With proper management and utilization of their resources the region can move to great heights. The coal mining in Kitui will be a major breakthrough in the energy sector. Its mining will supplement other forms of energy and fuels in the country and internationally too. The wrangles facing the project, as to which company was awarded the tender and claims that the company awarded the tender to extract the mineral is a hoax meant to siphon tax payers money should be seriously looked into. Politics should be placed aside and clarity be sought to allow the project to initialize quickly.

The Geo Thermal Energy plant expansion

Olkaria IV is a mega project in line with Vision 2030 undertaken by various trading partners of Kenya. The Olkaria plant is set to be expanded for Ksh 82billion. The project is co-financed by KenGen with other development partners. They include the World Bank, Japan International Cooperation Agency, the French Development Agency, the European Investment Bank and the German Development Corporation.  The project is the largest investment in the energy sector so far! Its completion will add to the grid an additional 280 mega watts. This will go a long way in helping the country realize its vision 2030!

The famous LAPSET mega project

This project has been said to be the largest development project the continent has ever invested in being worth Ksh 1.5 trillion. The main components of the LAPSET project will include; road, railway and an oil pipeline networks from Juba to Lamu, and airports that will be located at Isiolo and Lokichogio. The railway network will run from Lamu via Isiolo where one line will branch to Ethiopia and another one to South Sudan.

The JKIA expansion

This has been the latest mega project that has out comely been marred with grave suspicions on how the matter has been handled by the key officials in charge of the project. The Kenya Airports Authority’s main contention was that the tender procedure as provided by the law had not been complied with. This has led to sackings of high level officials in the docket. The terminal is set to be expanded to a tune of Ksh 56 billion.

The expansion of the Jommo Kenyatta Terminal is an important strategic developmental programme that needs to be undertaken to keep the country abreast in the region in air transport and other various benefits that will come with it. 
The vital expansion of the terminal should not therefore be jeopardized at any cost. Our neighbor’s rapid infrastructural development in air transport is an indicator that we should seriously brace up our stands. Ethiopia expansions and Rwanda’s too are good examples to go by.  Each of these countries have invested good amount of their resources to remain relevant in the market.

It’s the fear of previous perilous moves of such grand projects that sends jitters to every patriotic citizen on what may come out of these investments. Everyone should therefore make a keen follow-up of these agendas and make sure the Kenyan and the East African dream as well is achieved.

Thumbs Ups

The key decision and policy makers have made outstanding progress towards enactment and formulation of workable development policies, agendas and projects. We therefore need to give them that extra eye and morale to keep everything rolling. Importantly this will also ensure that the concerned parties are kept on their toes and be able to get mindful of their responsibilities and of their actions too.