Corruption eats the inside, don’t accept it

President Uhuru Kenyatta waves as the plane carrying Pope Francis prepares to take off from JKIA after the Pontiff concluded his three-day visit in the country.

The curse of tribalism, the ghost of corruption and the threat of radical teachings formed the basis of the Pope’s message to the youth at the Safaricom Stadium, Kasarani yesterday.

The Holy Father dropped the religious red tape, switched to his mother-tongue, Spanish, and through his translator, engaged thousands of eager Kenyan youth in a heart-to-heart talk at the packed stadium.

The global head of the Catholic Church confessed that “even in the Vatican there are cases of corruption,” adding that graft is a vice that disturbs him every day.

But his mission yesterday morning was to inspire a change in attitude among the young people in Kenya.

“Corruption eats the inside. Like sugar, it is sweet. We like it. It is easy... You end up taking so much sugar that you become diabetic or the country ends up being diabetic. Each time we accept a bribe and put it in our pockets, we destroy our hearts, our lives and our country. Please, don’t accept the taste of that sugar called corruption.”

The Pope did not spend his time quoting from the scriptures or speaking cryptically. Instead, he gave real life examples, such as that of a young civil servant who was told by his boss that the job would require lining one’s pocket rather than render public services to change lives.

“Corruption takes away our joy; it takes away our peace. Corrupt people don’t live in peace,” he emphasised.

Then he told the story of the funeral of a corrupt man who had stolen so much that the coffin could not close because of the amount of loot he wanted to be buried with.

“What you steal through corruption will remain here and someone else will use it. But also, and I ask you to keep this in your hearts, what will remain behind is the lack of good you could have done, but didn’t... Corruption is not a path to life; it is a path to death,” said the Holy Father.

Pope Francis had sat patiently taking notes as Linet Wambui, a 24-year-old Library and Information Science finalist at Kenyatta University, joined Emmanuel Mango Mwonga, a 22-year-old fashion designer at Eastleigh Shopping Mall, in talking about the challenges facing Kenyan youths.

Separate tent

To the Pontiff’s right, in a separate tent, sat President Uhuru Kenyatta, First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, Cabinet Secretaries, governors and other government officials. Kenyan bishops sat on his left.

But the presence of these leaders did not stop Linet. You could have heard a pin drop as the university student spoke about the effects of tribalism and corruption on ambitious but penniless youth, and on poor families.

“Does God have favourites? Why should the tribe of origin define us?” asked Linet.

When it was his turn to speak, Emmanuel tore into politicians for inciting the youth to violence: “They are being taught to hurt their neighbours... and to maim strangers.”

He also complained about obstructive policies and drug abuse. He said “academic pressure” makes those who fail exams believe they have failed in life.

“If you fail, you lose and you keep losing. If you pass, the obstacles keep growing!” said Emmanuel, from Ekalakala Parish in Machakos Diocese.

When Pope Francis rose to speak, he delivered a message of hope.

“Life is full of difficulties, but there are different ways of looking at these things: Do you look at it as something that disturbs you or do you see it as an opportunity? Is it a path to destruction or a path to build yourself, your society and your country?” he asked. “You all have the capacity to choose. Do you want to overcome the challenges or be overcome by them?”

With Linet to his right, Emmanuel and all hands clasped, the Pope emphasised the message of unity.

On corruption, the Pope was emphatic that the young people had to take the lead in turning their backs to extortion, bribery and  worshipping money. And to deal with radicalisation, the Pontiff said prayer and good policies could help the country weed out the problem caused by lack of jobs and education.

“God is much stronger than any recruitment campaign to radicalise people. Speak with tenderness, compassion, love and patience,” Pope Francis urged.