One of the key principles of motivation is that what gets measured gets done. Similarly, what gets rewarded gets done. The combined effect is exponential – what gets measured and gets rewarded, gets done well. The amazing consequence is that, when an act is regularly measured and consistently rewarded, it soon becomes a habit or even a culture. This has profound implications for us as a nation, especially when applied to two current national concerns – corruption and the census.
That we are tired of the culture of corruption is nothing new. In recent times, we have seen consistent and persistent investigations and arrests of various persons suspected to be involved in corruption. What is unfortunate, however, is that in the entire history of this country, no case of mega corruption has ever been finalised. No single corrupt individual has ever paid for their evil through the legal system. To the contrary, it is the small fry that meet swift, and at times, instant justice. The consequence is that all the exposes on amounts lost in corruption have inadvertently only served to entrench the evil into our culture. How is this?
Every time the government announces the billions lost to corruption, such figures only serve as a form of measure of corruption levels. Like regular financial reports by listed companies to shareholders, the government indirectly tells us how lucrative this corruption business really is and how fast it is growing. What is more, because no one involved in mega corruption ever gets punished, there is a sense in which it looks like the government not only measures but also rewards corruption – whatever you can lay your hands upon, is yours to keep. The consequence is that, because corruption is regularly measured and consistently rewarded, it has become an entrenched culture – a preserve of the daring “entrepreneurs” and, as a recent research revealed, the grand ambition of every young Kenyan.
On census, many have wondered why there is such an obsession with numbers in some quarters, especially in Northern Kenya. Again, it is the law of motivation at play – another case of contradictory actions. Whereas the government has over the years been on a concerted campaign for smaller families, it has policies that seem to suggest that bigger families are preferable. In the devolution structure, distribution of national resources has been pegged on population. In fact, up to 45 per cent of the numbers therefore become extremely important to any county that want a larger share of the national cake.
Early this year, Northern Kenya leaders called a press conference to make demands for a proper record of their numbers. The leaders went on to argue that households in their region range from six to ten children per family, compared to a mere two in other parts of the country. Indeed, according to the Kenya Integrated Household Budget Survey (KIHBS) 2015/16, Kenya Somalis were found to be the fastest growing community in Kenya, with an average of between six and seven children per family. In contrast, Kiambu, Nairobi, Nyeri and Murang’a households appeared to be shrinking in household sizes, due mainly to increased use of contraceptives and a general preference for smaller families.
Whereas normal expectation would be that leaders from regions with larger families should be embarrassed about their numbers growing contrary to government policy, they appear instead to be strategic. Rehema Dida, the Isiolo Woman Representative quipped at the press conference, “While some of you are busy having a good time, we are busy on matters bedroom!” On his part, Aden Duale, leader of majority in National Assembly proudly argued that North Eastern region is largely dominated by Muslims and both their religion and culture prohibit family planning. Their stated expectation is that their “hard work” will be rewarded with greater allocation of resources.
What is clear is that unless and until we address the contradictions regarding these two matters, we should not be surprised if corruption continues to grow even as population increases. More genuine workers will become demoralised and most likely join the gravy train, while more communities seek ways to increase their numbers. Both are a spell of doom for the economic future of our nation. And yet, the fact remains that what gets measured and gets rewarded, gets done and done well. Let’s measure and reward the right things. Corruption must be swiftly punished and, unusual population growth must not be rewarded.
- The writer is the presiding bishop of Christ is the Answer Ministries. [email protected]
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