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We want our
country back!
Publication
Date: 02/04/2005
Corruption returned to the news
in a big way this week, with claims of nearly two dozen new scandals, some of
them involving more money than what is supposed to be the greatest shame of
the Narc government - the Anglo Leasing scam.
This is tragic, because if
there ever was a government that was likely to deal a blow to corruption, it
was Narc.
It won power in December 2002
on a strong anti-corruption platform. It has also made more noise against
corruption, and created more anti-corruption bodies than all previous
governments combined.
The fact that in spite of all
this, corruption is thought by some to be worse than at any point during the
38 years of Kanu rule, suggests that there is a singular lack of political
will to tackle corruption except with empty rhetoric.
Kenya was once a model of
prosperity in Africa. It went to the dogs due to greed and incompetence. But
what is striking today is that whereas in the past, presidents and ruling
parties would take token action to punish a sacrificial lamb whenever
corruption was revealed, Narc has become notable for its arrogance and
contempt for the feelings of Kenyans. Some of its ministers mock the people
when corruption cases are uncovered.
Of course, not everyone in Narc
is corrupt, and so the good people who still care about honest government
should stand up and be counted. They must salvage their reputations.
The bigger issue, however, is
the fate of ordinary honest tax-payers. How long will they stand by and
witness this pillage of their nation without doing something to send a strong
signal to the rulers that they will not stand for it?
The damage that the leaders are
doing goes much deeper than is usually noted. Narc has continued a tradition
of looting that began many years ago. As a result, many people stopped
believing in the presidency, Parliament, and other state institutions as a
force for good. Narc’s foibles have only added fuel to this loss of faith.
In the long run, what's at
stake is the very survival of Kenya as a state, and the existence of Kenyans
as free and sovereign citizens. We must rise and take our country back from
uncaring leaders, and rescue it from criminal politics.
See also:
LSK:
Kenyans must call for action against corrupt officials
(04 Feb 2005) The Law Society of Kenya yesterday asked Kenyans to stand up and
demand that the Government takes action against corrupt ministers and public
servants.
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