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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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