Since 1992, Kenyans have been belligerent to have a blueprint to fashion an open, and affluent people. A county with equal prospect, meritocracy and self respect. This reverie has been affected by insatiable and ferocious avarice for accumulation of primitive stolen wealth by dogmatic leaders.
Politicians have used their position to steal from poor citizens, politics is the most profitable avenue for any thug to commit looting and thievery against the Kenya’s downtrodden, majority of whom live in rural Kenya.
Unfortunately, these thugs are the most schooled fellas, majority of these imbeciles are heartless greedy dressed in striped, blue navy and black suits, they are cleaving around posh joints and neighborhoods.
They have gone to posh colonial schools, top universities in Kenya and abroad, yet they chose to ignore every principle, work ethic, values and ideals expected from an “educated” chap. They are in parliament, executive and judiciary.
Now, one marvels, if the top salve of the society are the same people commenting on economical crime laced with legalese, to swindle billions of our taxes into private accounts. Who will serve Kenyans?
Corruption and scandals have been on the rise since independence, but it has reached the highest peak. The government loses more than KSh608 billion on venality, equivalent to 7.8% of our GDP, translating to KSh302 billion, KSh400 million.
This is more than the budget allocation of Ministries of Defense, Higher Education and National Police service or six times the budget for Agriculture in Kenya.
This is total madness. Obnoxious in a country where 70% live in rural Kenya under two dollars a day, yet we have the highest paid MPs after South Africa and Nigeria. Poverty stands at 39%, under and unemployment of 15-34 years at 67%, the government total recurrent expenditure is estimated to be 3.134 trillion, approximately 261.2 billion per month.
Efficient, forbearing, with proficient workforce is the pillar to a functioning government, unfortunately, Kenya Kwanza is operating on a different planet, with over 22 cabinet secretaries, 58 permanent secretaries, 30 advisors, 68 ambassadors and their deputies, these is a burden to a society already affected by drought and famine, Donald Trump advisory, economy on ache and high cost of living
I often ask, what’s our dogmatic philosophy?
Why should we lose about KSh608 billion, or 7.8 per cent of our GDP, annually to corruption, according to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission? Theft at the national level and counties are milking us dry. What’s wrong with this country and its people?
A guild where stealing is praised, material wealth primitively stolen is applauded, those with guzzlers praised, expensive homes seen to be with highest status, yet no one questions their sources of wealth?
No one is an inventor, owns industry or inherited generational wealth in this country. Citizens are either in business, public service, private sector or Juakali industry, pastoralism and farming.
How do they steal? Inflated tenders, proxies and cooked books of account. The controller of budget and auditor general offices under article 228 & 229 respectively. Both offices have continually elevated their fretfulness on public and financial management.
Kenyans must not only demand of their rights, but take their responsibility, obligation of sovereignty seriously. We can’t be tribes in voting, cry unison under problems. Quality services are the bare minimum expected from all public officials.
First forward, our country needs a reset, a parliament that represents its people, a president who upholds the rule of law, a judiciary free from the suspicion or allegations of JUrispesa.
Investment in Agriculture in rural Kenya, free primary and secondary and subsidized university for all children, not for the rich only.
The former Uruguayan President Jose Mujica said, “I am called the poorest President, but I don’t fell poor. Poor people are those who only work to try to keep an expensive lifestyle”. He also stated “I am not the poorest President, the poorest id the one who needs a lot to live”
I couldn’t agree more. Why steal from those suffering under abject poverty, when you are gone to the most prestigious schools? Most Kenyans are schooled, just went through a process of education, but the ultimate objective of morality, virtue and self-respect is thrown out the window once they join the public service.
Japan, Norway and Singapore have invested in their people’s quality of their souls. Disciplined, courteous and with utmost, you can’t say the same here. Arrogance, vengeance, thuggery and gluttony is everywhere in both the national and county government. We must reflect.
Abdullahi Alas, the writer, is a Journalist & Policy Analyst based in Mandera County
