Fortify decency and fairness in our society

There is something almost poetic about plans to repatriate Kenyans stranded in India after fraudsters tried to con desperate people into sending money for plane tickets.

Kenyan Ambassador to India, Willy Bett, called on Kenyans to send him details about their families, friends or colleagues who have not been able to return to Kenya. Mr. Bett said the government intends to send a plane to Mumbai to pick up the stranded group.

This gracious and decent act comes after it was revealed that many of those left in India had been conned into sending money for air tickets by a group of fraudsters who had infiltrated a WhatsApp group intended for Kenyans stranded in India.

Thankfully, Kenyans are becoming less inured to the idea that there is little that can be done against conmen, fraudsters and corruption.

Since President Uhuru Kenyatta launched his war against corruption, things have certainly changed for the better.

Years ago, many of us would have shrugged at the idea of our fellow countrymen being lured by fraudulent conmen. But now, Kenyans can demand that things be done right and that is why we are pleased, and welcome the government’s decision to send Kenya Airways plane to Mumbai.

We have started to demand justice, because we have developed a taste for it.

Over the years, the president alongside Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji introduced us to the concepts of justice, fairness and integrity.

We have seen senior government officials and businessmen hauled before the courts, accused of having their hand in public purse or did not adhere to the law.

Kenyans have become used to seeing this steady stream of the great, the formerly untouchable, arrested and duly processed. They see a process that would be the same for you and I.

Our president has harshly rebuked even judges who are yet to get on the justice bandwagon. It is a whole new Kenya, a more fair and decent one.

Kenyans have started to notice that crime no longer pays with victims getting justice. The rule of law and due process are no longer empty slogans but real concepts necessary in any functioning society.

We expect restitution of billions of shillings from fraudsters who were our elected officials and public servants. President Kenyatta and his team are doing exactly this.

Right and wrong are no longer just Bible lessons but visceral terms that we have come to expect in those who govern our lives.

President Kenyatta has implored us to constantly lookout and be vigilant against anyone who is not playing by the rules. This has led to the establishment of channels to report such cases set up by EACC.

We are told to do the right thing and we see no greater example than from our president.

When he sees his people being conned, he will always be there to rescue them. This is the right and decent thing to do. Our standards and expectation levels should never be lowered again.

Michael Cherambos comments on topical socio-political issues [email protected]