FPE scam shows how politics of patronage undermines accountability

By Atieno Ndomo

The posturing adopted by the Education Permanent Secretary Karega Mutahi and Government Spokesman Alfred Mutua over the spate of aid freezes to the free primary education programme leaves no doubt the extent of accountability crisis. "Sacred cows" are running riot, literally!

Could it be the case that technocrats are effectively dominant and have abrogated monolithic bureaucratic power, to the level where they deem themselves untouchable? Is the Ministry of Education essentially captured by self-interest to the exclusion of public interest? How else would one explain the sort of arrogance and wily behaviour consistently displayed by the top Education ministry officials since the British Government blew the whistle on massive fraud in the free primary education programme? Nearly two months into this fiasco, and despite a presidential decree for swift investigations to unearth the perpetrators and bring them to account, there is little sign the anti-corruption authority is anywhere close to flexing its muscle.

Instead, we are treated to a flippant attitude by those in positions of responsibility at the ministry — the same individuals who have scoffed at all calls to step aside to pave way for impartial investigations.

On this issue, it is important to spotlight and expose a number of falsehoods being peddled around: Firstly, the bravado exhibited by the Education ministry officials does not represent a defence of our nation’s sovereignty. Truly upholding our autonomy would mean demonstrating the highest standards of integrity and probity in the management of public resources. It would assign critical policy, legislative and budgetary attention to meeting the people’s basic needs. The scenario of plunder dogging the ministry would be unfathomable in such circumstance. Meaningful sovereignty would assign critical importance to children’s education to assure us of sustained independence. Besides, you cannot be caught with your hand in the cookie jar, and still feign pride.

Secondly, the line that external funding to the primary schooling sector is insignificant rings hollow and is contrary to the evidence. In reality, for every shilling withheld in donor funding, the opportunity cost to a poor Kenyan child is a chance to access textbooks and stay in class to learn.

As long as unbridled greed and failure to prioritise the needs of the poor in resource allocation reigns supreme, the fate of the poor in our country will remain at the mercy of external financiers and donors. And with the control of the purse strings, comes the power to call the shots – however nauseating. To this extent, we would have as good as voluntarily ceded our autonomy.

Thirdly, the actions and performance of the Education ministry belie the rhetoric about putting the needs of children first. It is bitterly ironic to hear high-ranking officials wax lyrical about their concern and care for the plight of children. We certainly have to call their bluff on this one.

Fourthly, the ministry is wrong to downplay the essence of accountability to the Kenyan people. In its broadest sense, accountability is about being answerable for results, or the lack thereof. The public expects the ministry to answer for its performance and achievement in the delivery of education to Kenyan children. No less than transparent and efficient administration of public monies in accordance with the set purposes will do. It is time that those holding public office were made conscious of their duty to serve not at the behest of patrons, but in the wider public interest. Beyond obligations to be upwardly accountable to funding partners, of paramount importance is the ultimate accountability to Kenyans — in terms of results.

The day public servants begin to act in deference to the needs of citizens will be the day we would have begun to get the fundamentals of public service right. It is time that citizens of this country asserted their rightful place in the order of perking!

—The writer ([email protected]) is a social and economic policy analyst