WE ARE OUR OWN SETBACK IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION

When I listen to fellow Kenyans discuss the problems facing this nation, especially corruption, they always blame the leaders except themselves. The bitter pill of truth we should all swallow, is that we ‘ordinary Kenyans’ have contributed to the corruption facing our nation today.

Our leaders, especially political leaders are here to address the needs of the community, county or the nation as a whole. As Kenyans, we must put the interests of the nation above our individual and selfish interests. I have noted that many of the elected and appointed public officers are even afraid of going back to their constituencies. When people come to see them they come with all sorts of personal problems. We must understand that it is hard for a politician or leader who gives money for weddings, circumcision ceremonies, and other personal matters, to also address the important needs of the society, like education, health and jobs. Where do you expect them to get that extra money if not from the CDF fund or sale of grabbed land?

There’s culture, very common in many families for all the family members to rely on one able person’s sweat. There is nothing wrong for a person who has the means to assist his relatives and friends. Our religions support generosity, and this should be encouraged. But that is not an excuse for them to depend on him or her to solve ALL their problems. We should learn to ask for help from others only when it is necessary. Many good people became corrupt because they wanted to satisfy the insatiable needs of their family members. We must stop asking people to do things that they can't afford within their legitimate earnings.

Now Kenyans are so good at this. We always complain that our leaders are corrupt. It is true that many of them are corrupt. You have read the news headlines, watched TV and checked on the social media. All manner of corruption scandals involving our leaders. Our nation, sadly, worships and glorifies these leaders and politicians that have acquired their wealth by looting public treasury. If we continue to measure success solely based on acquisition of material things like money, land, buildings and so on, are we not promoting corruption? There is nothing impressive in stealing public funds. We must stop respecting people with questionable sources of wealth. If possible, we must condemn them to death- that is, if they would rather die than resign.

Surprising to note also is that many of the Kenyans who complain about corrupt leadership don't even show up on the day of the elections. We contribute towards corrupt leaders by not exercising our right to vote. It is true that sometimes the results of the elections are manipulated. However, that is not an excuse for not voting. Those who rig the elections do so because they know that we don’t care. We must come out and vote on the days of elections. We should do everything possible to ensure that our votes count. Wait, it is just not enough to cast your vote during elections! It is important to elect the right candidate. Ask yourself this question before you vote for a person: why am I voting for this candidate? If you are voting for him or her because you share the same tribe, party, region, you are voting for the wrong reasons, and you might be voting for the wrong candidate. It is equally wrong to vote for a candidate based on some few handouts dropped during campaigns. Don't sell your votes. Remember, voting is not a market. We must look at the records of the candidate and his ability to deliver on his or her promises. Just the same way we scrutinize a cellphone’s specifications before we purchase, should be the same way we check the records of every politician before we elect them!

Now, it is even hard to fight corruption if we think that what is happening to our leaders or public servants is not important to us as ordinary Kenyans. The fight against corruption has deteriorated because of this attitude. We treat our leaders as if they are not Kenyans, as if they are small gods. Well, they may not be ‘ordinary Kenyans’ but at least they are Kenyans. We must understand that what affects our leaders affects everyone. No one is safe until everyone is safe. We must speak against corruption. Take for instance, a road construction contractor paying a public official a bribe to win the contract. They must charge a higher fee for this contract in order to maintain a sustainable profit, or at worst, complete the project. Who pays for the road? In most cases it's you the tax payer. Either you're paying higher taxes, or there's less funding for other roads, maintenance and other infrastructure or government services. If you think it doesn't matter because you don't pay tax, what about all the companies which are paying higher taxes to cover higher road costs. They are forced to charge higher prices for their goods as a result and ultimately you, the final consumer, pays for these goods.

Lastly, we suffer from a disease called ‘Selective Amnesia’. We either forget or forgive easily. And we choose what to forget! We formally and informally make corrupt and incompetent leaders feel that they are still important. We have elevated crooks into positions of leadership. Our leaders can now do and get away with almost anything. You are free to forgive them, but don’t forget. We must stop celebrating and honoring the people who created our problems, just because they have changed political parties. A Bad leader is a bad leader no matter what party he belongs. A Good leader is a good leader no matter what party he belongs.

We should therefore be part of the solution to the corruption menace we are currently facing as a nation. It is about us, ordinary Kenyans. We can talk about leaders some other day. And to the corrupt? JUST STOP. You may have already gone too far or you may have only committed a few simple acts and slipped unnoticed by the anti-corruption authorities and those you care about, but stopping is the first step to not only protecting your legacy, but also reducing the negative impact your criminal activities are having on fellow Kenyans.