Don’t deny us the right to cane our own

By Okech Kendo

Politicians asking for local solutions to local problems are right. But they are waxing patriotic long after some development partners have given up on Kenya’s capacity for self-reliance in matters of good manners.

The latter-day patriots think foreigners should not meddle in our affairs because the Republic of Kenya has reached the age of civic maturity. Sounds nationalistic, but are we ready to run the show, 46 years after Independence? If we think we can, why are we not doing what is right for the majority?

Capacity and willingness to address issues of good governance and institutional reforms in ways that support the national interest should be self-evident. But too much talking and unfulfilled promises dominate.

We have not prosecuted suspects in the escalation of post-election violence, but patriots insist it can be done. Don’t we know justice delayed is justice denied?

If we can, why have we been waiting for the International Criminal Court to tell us it must be done? Do we need the international community to remind Kenya it is a signatory of the Rome Statute?

Do we need an outsider to remind us the atrocities that followed the 2007 General Election were crimes against humanity? So where is this national capacity to address crimes of that magnitude?

Yes, it is easy to say we can, but the test is in measurable and self-evident, conclusive actions.

About 20 years after the Goldenberg scandal, no one has been nailed and jailed for the multi-billion shilling economic crime. If it can be done, why hasn’t it been done?

What are we waiting for by postponing justice for millions of impoverished Kenyans?

The economy is still paying the price after seven years of Anglo Leasing — the scam that enriches individuals at it impoverishes wananchi.

If we can prosecute our own, what are we waiting for? Do we need a reminder from Washington? If we claim we can have local solutions to national challenges, why not do it?

Eloquent inaction

Where is the official will to advance justice for the majority? Some of us need to be caned, but Kenyan-Africans themselves must be flogged into action, which is a local solution.

When early this year women peace activists declared 10 days of withdrawal of sex to push men leaders to agree on issues that could stabilise the Grand Coalition Government, they were ridiculed.

Their initiative was an ingenious, if not feasible, local solution to local leadership paralysis. It was not just the mere act of such denial to anti-change and anti-consensus, stubborn husbands. It was the symbolism and spirit of their protest that were important.

Think of the involvement of outsiders in the matter of Attorney General Amos Wako — the self-confessed reformist and survivor.

The man is being caned on camera. Imagine the ignominy of such a high profile son of the land, a proud African from Ingo, sulking because the Obama administration does not want to see him anywhere near US soil.

Americans, through their local agent, claim for 18 years of legal influence, the AG has not demonstrated local initiative in matters of fighting impunity, administration of justice, constitutional reforms and good governance.

Patriots claim Barack Obama, former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and International Criminal Court Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo are meddlers and fiddlers.

The question is, what are we waiting for before we can enforce local solutions?

In the face of eloquent inaction, delay and official indifference, where is the substitute for US and international pressure?

Can push for change come from the Church and other faiths? Can it come from wananchi? Can there be a coalition of forces that demand change and action now, on pending issues?

Are wananchi, the masses who pay the cost of this paralysis and procrastination of the ruling elite, ready to actuate their civic responsibility?

Are wananchi, you and I, ready to shun and jeer the power elite we cheer as they perpetuate impunity?

First for the Church: Jesus set a precedent when he whipped and ejected robber barons who were changing money in God’s house. The robbers had turned the shrine into a den of thieves.

Are spiritual leaders ready to impose sanctions on their flock that frustrate change? Can they banish the flock that pays the largest tithe after every six days of sinning? Do they have the courage to tell the king he is naked?

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Impunity has always been treated as a sin of the ruling elite, which allows lords of impunity in the private sector to get away with exploitation of Shylock proportions.

There are many credit frauds, including banks, exploiting their customers with impunity. They claim, fraudulently, more than four times your expenditure, driving many to bankruptcy.

They want their ‘policies’ respected as they trample on your rights as a customer. You must stand up for your rights, even against exploitative banks. Beware of banks that report multi-billion-shilling profits, which they suck from your sweat.

Accept the anonymity for now because this is a developing narrative — the story of everyone who has had a credit relationship with a bank.

—The writer (kendo@standardmedia.co.ke) is The Standard’s Managing Editor, Quality and Production.

 

 

Read all about: Court Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo Kenya International Criminal Court ICC chief prosecutor

 

 

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