Execute corruption culprits publicly

"In the course of history, there comes a time when humanity is called to shift to a new level of consciousness to reach a higher moral ground. A time when we have to shed our fear and give hope to one another" — Prof Wangari Maathai.

Recently I read an article in The Standard by Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo who argues that grand corruption can never be won through activism. I totally disagree.

In the Kenyan context, grand corruption and the resultant impunity seems to be untouchable since there is no political will to tackle the vice. The debacle involving Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission, recently rebranded Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission is a classic example to this.

Impunity enjoyed by culprits of grand corruption such as Goldenberg, Anglo Leasing and similar scandals have led to a cynical and a pathetic culture where integrity and honesty are seen as ‘vices’ to be scoffed at and dishonesty, deceit and theft is considered ‘virtuous’.

The devil has taken the upper hand and this must be stopped. Good will win.

What we need is severe and immediate penalty like in China where perpetrators of grand corruption are executed. Perhaps, it is high time we took proven culprits of corruption to Uhuru Park and execute them in public.

garbage collection

That will be a memorable lesson and detterent to others with similar intentions. This reminds me of a case in a country (name withheld) where the leader (president), tired of the failure of all efforts to have illegal arms surrendered, gave the order that after a certain date anyone caught with an illegal gun will be killed by the same gun. Not long after a son of his close confidante and ally, a general, was caught with an illegal firearm. When asked what they should do him, the president commanded that the son of the general be executed. The next day thousands of illegal firearms were dumped outside police stations.

As such, if one culprit faces severe punishment others will stop.

What we need is a few good and virtuous men and women to stand up and say enough is enough.

This is activism and it will be the spark to an outpouring of public support like enjoyed by the Indian activist Anna Hazara who stood up against impunity and corruption and our own world famous brave activist extraordinaire Wangari Maathai, who single handedly stood firm against the juggernaut of the past governments while all men cowered in fear.

Gumbo argues that the three arms of Government — the Judiciary, Legislature and Executive — should each stamp their authority derived from the people to win against corruption.

In an ideal society I would agree but in our context the people are totally dissatisfied with the three arms of authority as they have failed to address the pandemic.

Under the social contact, the people give authority to the Government to protect and promote their well-being. As part of this contract, the Goverment must perform.Yet ours has failed in the fight against corruption. As such the people have every right to ursurp the power and act themselves.

Activism can and will rally the people to demand their rights.

{Shakeel Shabbir, MP for Kisumu Town East and member of African Parliamentarians Network Against Corruption}

Revelations that the man poised to take over the body to wage war against corruption failed or ignored to collect taxes from Kingsway Tyres and Automart Limited amounting to Sh2.4 billion — as revealed by legislator Boni Khalwale — are shocking and clearly shows Mr Mumo Matemu is not the right person in the war against corruption, if proved guilty.

If these allegations are proven Matemu should pull himself out of the race. From the dossier presented in Parliament, there are indications this country has been losing a lot of money through uncollected taxes from specific companies.

This is corruption that Parliament should investigate and culprits should face the full force of the law.

{Philip Mbindyo, Sawagongo}

‘Hate speech’ bad, but first act on ‘hate actions’

As Kenya National Commission on Human Rights commissioner Omar Hassan faces the National Cohesion and Integration Commission over ‘hate remarks’, I express my dessatisfaction with the Mzalendo Kibunjia-led team.

I wonders whether the team was just put up to make Kenyans shut up their mouths while political leaders engage, not in hate speech, but "hate actions". People do not wake up one morning and start hurling words filled with hate without reason unless they are mad about a perceived or real injustice.

Any action past or present that amounts to real or perceived injustice continues to ignite hate in the affected person(s) until such a time that it is conclusively dealt with.

This brings us to the question whether the Kibunjia commission has thought of dealing with the causes of hate speech or just the product of it.

It is not expected that internally displaced persons will sing Hossana to the Ocampo Six or heap praise on the concerned minister who have failed to resolve their problems.

Neither will the Syokimau and Chaani residents, whose houses were demolished without notice sing happy birthday to the minister for Lands just in the name of "love speech".

For as long as the Government does not solve land issues at the Coast and many other parts of the country, there will always be hostility — and hate speech — between locals and ‘outsiders’ even if the latter acquired the land legally.

If Omar must be vilified for remarks that the next president is unlikely to come from a certain tribe, then opinion pollsters whose prediction implies a particular presidential candidate is wasting time because will only score as many votes as the last census put the number of his tribesmen, must undergo similar trials.

Before we crucify Omar for reminding us of the number of ministers, Government officials, PSs, top security officers and ambassadors to developed countries that come from one tribe — don’t mind that he did not mention other tribes — have we ever considered that such presidential and prime ministerial appointments — many given to less deserving people — amount to "hate action" against those who had better qualifications but were denied the jobs because of tribe and lack of connection?

Dr Kibunjia must first deal with the actions in Government circles that cause people to utter hatred towards one another before dealing with hate speech — a mere product of our evil actions and intentions.

{Emmanuel Ngala, Malindi}

Atwoli’s was good intent, bad action

The festive season is here. Many employers are closing business to allow employees a break from work to celebrate Christmas with their families.

The celebration mood was nearly spoiled by a matatus strike organised by Matatu Welfare Association and supported by Central Union of Trade Unions.

Thank God it aborted.

However, I wish to remind Cotu boss Francis Atwoli that the strike would have affected many Kenyans negatively. He may have meant good for wananchi, but the action would have seen innocent citizens bear the brunt of consequences.

It’s the poor who suffer in these roads. It is them who pay more when matatus hike fares. Therefore, planning a matatu strike at such a time would bring more suffering for poor millions of Kenyans.

{Richard Korir, Nairobi}