THE SHAMING LEVELS OF CORRUPTION IN KENYA (PART III)

A country’s national assembly is where all laws governing the nation are born and bred. The citizenry looks up to this all important organ of the government to play its role competently. However, recent assertions leveled against parliament, which have since leaked to the public domain, leave one with more questions than answers.

Kenya's national assembly.

In the last quarter of the year 2011, Kenya plunged into an incongruous inflation. A parliamentary committee was formed to look into the cause of the same. The committee was to find out that the some commercial banks in the country had engaged in mischievous speculation acts, thus resulting to the plummeting of the Kenyan shilling to an all time low vis-à-vis the American dollar.

As expected the committee drew its conclusions which were tabled in the house for debate and subsequent implementation. Among others, the committee proposed the sacking of the Central Bank Governor, who for your information had been rated the worst performing in Africa. They stated that these acts were done under his watch, adding that though he had the power to crack the whip on mischievous commercial banks, he did not.

It was largely expected that the parliamentarians would do the right thing for the country, which had suffered a great deal from the avoidable inflation, effects of which many Kenyans continue to grapple with. Sadly though, this was not to be.

On the day that MP’s were expected to pass the motion that would send the Governor packing, the exact opposite happened. It was after this incident that reports smote the air, of how some MP’s had been dined to sumptuous meals at exclusive city hotels so they could not send the Governor home. It is such a pain in the neck to think that even important legislative motions, which could determine the country’s fate, could fall victim of corruption.

A past sitting of the National Assembly.

I could delve into the Goldenberg and Anglo leasing scandals, but then again I’ve got to rest my case. But of course not without my two cents!!

For as long as I can remember, most Kenyans are always complaining about bad governance in the country. Last I checked, these so called “bad leaders” did not elect themselves to office, nor did some aliens elect them. Citizens had to bear with extreme weather conditions while queuing to vote in these leaders.

Next time you have to bear the long queues at a polling station during an election to vote in a leader, please care to genuinely answer the following questions to yourself:

(1)  Has this leader been implicated in any scandal or do they have a tainted past?

(2)  Of all the candidates to choose from, is this the one that best meets the expected qualifications for this position?

(3)  Have I made the right, independent and informed decision for the sake of my country, now and for the future?

   

 Every Kenyan voter must be keen to identify aspirants who address the issues that affect the citizens; corruption been key among them.

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again. Vote wisely because your vote is your only voice to advocate for the change you want to see in your country!!