Let war against graft begin with the land question

Like most folk, I give a cautious welcome to National Environment Management Authority (Nema) efforts at reclaiming riparian land along the Nairobi River. Of course all the destruction and wastage could have been avoided had all parties adhered to the rule of law from the outset. For that reason I have little sympathy for those whose influence and cash allowed them to construct illegally in the first place. Besides, they have made their money at the public expense. In words of Martin Luther King Jr the ark of the moral universe is long but it bends towards justice. What goes around comes around. 

That explains the welcome but the caution remains because over the years I have watched similar initiatives at repossessing public land fizzle out. It is still not clear what is motivating this particular move nor where is it headed. The fact that reclaiming the riparian land quickly followed the bulldozing of 25,000 in Kibera makes me suspicious. Just as the nation’s outrage and conscience was stoked over the Kibera forced eviction, the bulldozing of malls threw a dampener on the plight of the slum dwellers. They are now forgotten as we talk about Ukay and Taj Mall. The message delivered is that this government does not discriminate; whoever breaks the law regardless of their position in life will be dealt with. That is the justification and the half-truths that are hard to digest.