Bouquets to those who made contribution, barbs to those who let us down

2019 is almost over and it is the season to honour those who have made a significant contribution towards making society better while throwing barbs at those who let us down. The first bouquet for 2019 goes to the Multi-Agency Team, the investigations and prosecution arms that have made some dent on the war against graft. It is easy to dismiss the ongoing onslaught against graft as politically biased. I would be the last to deny political overtones. We must however recognise that corruption in Kenya is so closely associated with politics that it is impossible to imagine a prosecution process that is totally blind politically. In any event, those who allege political bias do not generally argue that the allegations against them are flimsy, only that there are others who have not been charged because of their politics.

Of course we hope that the sword of justice will be unbiased so the war is sustainable. But we must not forget that at the time the renewed anti-graft war commenced, Kenyans' frustration was at fever pitch. A real revolution; not those social media ones that hardly go beyond phone screens, was inevitable had steps not been taken to show seriousness on the anti-graft war. Now, no one can doubt that the presence in court of several governors, several former Cabinet and Principal Secretaries and government honchos have given bought government some breather. The team deserves a bouquet which will become a barb if it turns out the prosecutions were without merit.

The second bouquet goes to the Judiciary. Granted, the Judiciary has made many errors in some of its pronouncements but overall, there is no doubt that post-2010, the courts have been a useful bulwark against State excesses. Many instances of government overreach, usually identified by the indefatigable Okiya Omtatah, have been stopped by the courts. The Judiciary has sometimes paid a price, including the reduction in funding but the institution deserves a bouquet.

The final bouquet goes to medical officers who work in government. I have recently attended several county hospitals and I must say that I was immensely impressed by the state of most medical facilities and the dedication of many of the health workers even where they were operating in difficult circumstances. To the doctors and nurses in these institutions, a bouquet.

Now to the barbs. The first one goes to the managers of the education system. Last year about 70 per cent of students who sat the KCSE failed. Ninety percent of these failed students came from sub-county schools. This is where the bulk of Kenya goes to school. This part of Kenya will contribute almost no students to universities. They are condemned to the poverty cycle. There is something grossly wrong in this picture and it is not enough to blame students. There is no gene of daftness among the poor. Something must be done urgently. I will spend more time on it next year. But in the meantime, I hurl a barb the way of our planners in this sector.

The second barb goes to officers in county governments who have impoverished Kenyans by failing to pay suppliers -- the infamous pending bills. I know many suppliers of government goods and services whose properties have been auctioned as county officers unfeelingly go about their business, knowing very well that the average supplier to county governments is a small scale business person who is one cheque away from poverty. To those, who despite pressure from The Treasury continue this bad habit, shame on you.

My final barb goes to the indisciplined drivers I have watched this week break all traffic rules and end up causing nightmarish jams. It is the ultimate mark of maturity to patiently wait for your turn, obey the rules and not assume you are wiser than other road users who are obeying the law. To you who enjoy this pig trough, there goes a barb. Of course, this column would be remiss if it failed to throw a bouquet to you who stayed loyal to us through 2019. May your clan increase! 

The writer is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya.

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Multi-Agency Team