NAIROBI, KENYA: Few vices are as magnetic to adverse imagery as corruption. It is, among other things, a debilitating cancer, a fierce dragon, a vicious hydra-headed creature and an insatiable beast without a moral compass.
Considering its proven social and economic devastation, sometimes taking decades to reverse, corruption deserves all the adjectival bashing. But words alone are not enough. Be they politicians’ soaring rhetoric, threats by anti-corruption watchdogs or bold writings declaring some areas to be ‘corruption-free zones’, the success of the fight against graft largely depends on robust action.
Unfortunately, Kenya seems to be slowly sliding to a position where the inevitability of corruption as a way of life is gaining acceptance. This is a risky route to take. That is why President Uhuru Kenyatta’s recent declaration that checking corruption remains a priority for his government is a breath of fresh air. This, we hope, means there is fresh energy and strategy to tackle an increasingly complex problem.
To be sure, political goodwill in support of the anti-graft efforts have in recent months been more implied than explicit. Similarly, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), though not yet a toothless watchdog, seems to be losing its few remaining teeth so fast that it may soon have more bark than bite. The staff haemorrhage and the absence of a substantive czar have indeed affected its capacity and clout.
We, therefore, feel the Jubilee government owes it to the people of Kenya to fight corruption in word and deed. With so many ongoing and upcoming grand projects, there is the real danger of crooked practices, in all their guises, wiping away most of the gains.
Strengthening EACC — including resolving its leadership impasse, facilitating the hiring of the right staff, and allowing more robust legislative backing — is an important step.
Taking the absolute stance of a hammer that views every corruption issue as a nail that should be hit hard is also probably wrongheaded. A ‘soft’ campaign aimed at a behavioural and cultural shift is an important long-term complementary effort.
Mr President, the tough talk is good, the tough walk is even better. Combining the two is the best.
