'It's our turn to eat' syndrome real

'It's our turn to eat' syndrome real

Revelations by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) that just a few tribes dominate the Civil Service is not news.

"It’s our turn to eat" syndrome’ is very real and there is no point in pretending it does not exist. Right from the days of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, employment opportunities in Government – and even the private sector – have always been skewed in favour of the president’s tribesmen. This is the main reason why the presidency is so hotly contested.

The tragedy in doling out positions to the president’s people is that meritocracy always takes a back seat. It should, therefore, not come as a surprise that we have a Civil Service that is in the grip of overwhelming levels of incompetence.

The lethargy and mediocrity evident in many public offices is as a result of our refusal to uphold meritocracy in recruiting public servants. It is high time that we rethink our way of doing things. The remedy to this lies in practical and not just theoretical affirmative action. Unless this is done, we’ll continue sitting on a time bomb.

{Edwin Mulochi, Nairobi}

The discovery by the NCIC of entrenched tribalism in the public service is common knowledge. The fact that public service is riddled with ethnicity should not shock anybody living in Kenya.

Hiring and promotions have always been shrouded in secrecy and mystery. This was exacerbated by the formation of the Grand Coalition Government where all political parties wanted to reward cronies and hangers-on.

In the process, the Civil Service became the playground for politicians and their cronies. With a thriving culture of sycophancy, any attempt at independent-mindedness is heavily punished, albeit in very subtle ways.

Talk is rife in Government of political cronies who skipped two or three Job Groups to land lucrative appointments in public service. One only needs to evaluate promotions and appointments made since 2008 for a glimpse of the rot and abuse affliciting the system.

The result is a demoralised Civil Service where anything goes.

{Dennis Ogechi, Nairobi}

Reports of entrenched tribalism in the Civil Service are shameful.

Given that even the so-called marginalised communities have now embraced education, they have the right to fair representation in public service.

As a matter of fact, we have competent individuals from minority tribes holding key Government positions and doing a good job. It is hypocritical for the State to be condemning tribalism while its offices are mired in ethnicity.

Denying someone employment opportunity because of their tribe kills morale and is a violation of their human rights.

{Peter Karanja, Nairobi}

Now that we have a new Constitution, we should ensure its full implementation.

We must also strive to build strong institutions that are independent and efficient. Doing this is more important than putting all our hopes, dreams and aspirations on individuals.

If we do this, everything else will fall in place and it will not matter whether your tribesman is in power or not.

{Japheth Kodanga, via e-mail}

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Ocampo Six must heed court’s warning

The ‘Ocampo Six’, who are suspected of committing crimes against humanity, have been put on notice by the International Criminal Court, a warning they should heed.

Public meetings where bashing their opponents and inciting the public are the order of the day should cease. Before they flew to The Hague, the country was hot but it has cooled down in their absence.

We expect the temperature to rise after they return next week. But that need not be the case. The planned home-coming celebrations simply are not necessary. For the six and their 40-plus parliamentary buddies, there is nothing to celebrate.

{Justin Osey, Mombasa}

The naming of Ocampo Six has elicited mixed reactions across the nation. But overriding everything else has been the solidarity accorded to the suspects as regards their innocence.

A friend in need is a friend indeed, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with showing solidarity as depicted by the over 40 legislators who accompanied the six on the trip to The Hague.

However, let us look at the other side of the coin; would the same happen if those implicated by the International Criminal Court were regular citizens? I highly doubt it although I could be wrong.

It is amazing how much attention the mighty are receiving at the expense of hapless victims of post-election violence, which saw hundreds raped, killed and displaced.

To this day, we still have internally displaced people and no solution appears to be in sight to bring their plight to an end.

It is a travesty of justice that the wananchi who are currently displaced will end up voting for the same leaders who abandon and use them as stepping stones in their pursuit for greatness.

{David Motari, Nairobi}

Six PEV suspects have travelled to The Hague to obey summons in what might turn out to be a long process of getting justice.

A lot of politics has been thrown into the fray with some of the suspects accusing Prime Minister Raila Odinga for their tribulations while some victims have voiced concern whether the real perpetrators of the violence will ever be known.

ICC Prosecutor Luis-Moreno Ocampo has also been accused of failing to carry out adequate investigations before presenting his case before the judges. But hopefully, the truth shall come out.

{Peter Karanja, via e-mail}

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Proceed cautiously with IDP relocation

The Government must be commended for making efforts to settle internally displaced persons, but the exercise must be planned to avoid future bloodshed.

The proposed settlement of IDPs in some areas has led to protests by members of indigenous communities, signs that should not be taken lightly.

Land disputes have been behind much violence where many lives have been lost. It was one of the excuses used during post-election violence to butcher members of certain communities.

Since we lack sound land policies, the process of resettling the landless should not be done using force. Instead, there should be consent between all communities involved.

{Chweya Iteba, Nairobi}

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Officers breaking the law in Mt Elgon

The violence and inter-ethnic skirmishes that were the order of the day in Mt Elgon may be gone but in their stead, a new security threat lurks.

Security forces brought in to keep the peace have resorted to drunken behaviour while on duty after partaking of illicit brews that are common in the region.

Despite the new Constitution and the Public Officers Ethics Act, many police officers openly engage in the motorcycle PSV business yet they are also supposed to enforce traffic regulations.

Then there are those who have taken up logging precious teak timber in Mt Elgon forest, which is later transported in lorries under armed escort past the many security checkpoints on the roads.

{Blamuel Ndiema, via e-mail}

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Gbagbo doesn’t deserve asylum

The decision by incumbent Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo to cling to power despite losing last year’s polls has not only crippled the world’s largest cocoa economy, but has also seen hundreds of innocent Ivorians lose their lives.

After intense pressure from the African Union, United Nations, French forces and pro-Alassane Ouattara forces, Gbagbo is now said to be considering the possibility of surrendering power to the internationally recognised poll winner, Ouattara).

To demonstrate solidarity in the fight against impunity and dictatorship in the continent, no country should accept to offer Gbagbo political asylum. In fact he should be arrested the minute he steps out of his hiding place and handed over to the ICC to be charged with crimes against humanity.

{Abraham Nyakuno, Kisumu}

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Feedback

What do you make of MPs who escorted the ‘Ocampo Six’?

They also ought to show solidarity, mercy and sympathy to IDPs.

{Jao Kitsao}

These must be the joy-riders in Parliament now wasting limited Government resources.

{MorenÚ Ocampo}

Provided taxpayers’ money was not used, there is no problem! They must have thought they could export their arrogance to The Hague.

{George Omondi}

Some actions are neither helpful nor right. Despite accompanying the six, they will not influence the court’s decision.

{Shania Joey}

Those are their colleagues. It is okay to show solidarity with one’s friend. If I were in the same mess, I wouldn’t expect anything different.

{David Gichana}

It is a waste of time and money.

{Harryzon Jayugah}

It shows our peace, love and unity. I would have accompanied them given a chance!

{Ntutu Eddie}

None of them has ever slept in chilly, filthy IDP camp. They have even abandoned their jobs by taking unnecessary leave.

{Mary Ogolla}

Birds of impunity flock together.

{Vikta Valdez}

They are looking for support from "Ocampo Six" strongholds.

{Edward Vwonya}

These MPs are political crooks and we are waiting for the 2012 General Election to flush them out.

{Isaac Mukuria}

This is about hangin

g onto the coat tails of the bigwigs in preparation for 2012.

{Lumusi Musilu}

What solidarity are they demonstrating now? Will they do the same if the six are jailed?

{Ogero Omanga}

Since these idlers didn’t have anything to do here in Kenya, I guess they went to do it at The Hague.

{Polycarp Oty}