Why fighting corruption in Kenya is an uphill task

Beyond legal challenges in prosecuting corruption suspects, here are four reasons corruption thrives in Kenya.

First, if you steal and are not caught in the act, chances are high that you have the deal done. Forget about investigations and all the hullabaloo we make about mega corruption. If the sun sets with your looted thing, you are good to go. Enjoy. Make merry. The problem with this attitude is that it seems to have worked out so efficiently for a number of people, we are now left with the belief you can steal as long as you are not caught.

But, make no mistake. If you are a small fish, it won’t be long before you are caught and life squeezed out of you. If you are not stealing millions of shillings, preferably billions, you are putting your life at risk.

Behave or else the law will catch up with you and you have only yourself to blame. The list of mega scandals, beginning with Goldenberg through to Covid-19 Millionaires is considerably long, with so much complexity that over time, it has proved that once you have made away with public funds, the law gets fatigued chasing you.

Second, remember Boniface Mwangi’s MPigs protest outside Parliament? Well, the lesson is that dedicated Kenyans in the fight against corruption do not get much recognition and support. A major point was made in that protest that corruption is evil. Regardless, the MPs not only increased their salaries and self-sustaining packages handsomely, they also forgot about the incident shortly after.

They gave a deaf ear to the millions of Kenyans who appealed for a review of their salaries. Years later, they now want a lifetime pension for having served in Parliament. What does this mean? That the very leaders who are meant to protect the interests of their constituencies, do not spend time worrying about the economic burden an ordinary voter is shouldering.

These leaders probably know all about the burden but strangely, it is never their priority. The result? Let everyone fight for their own economic survival. With this attitude, lawlessness sets in and the scramble for public resource starts for the strongest. With no much attitude and legal change happening, pressure groups thin out depressed.

Third, there is unprecedented glorification and high level adoration of people with money. If you have money, all doors are open for you. You are the Alpha and Omega. With bottomless money, you can buy loyalty over the counter. Kenyans have become so desperate that human dignity ceases to make sense at the altar of money. People are willing to sacrifice all their values if money is a reward.

We glorify people with money because the systems of governance have stopped to provide essential support that people want. We deeply adore the money gods and goddesses because the language of rights does not yield any tangible rewards. It is left to a few people who still believe that one day corruption will be defeated and people get services and opportunities they need without falling prostrate before the lords of money.

Fourth, we are committed to condemning all the fat cats stealing our public funds online. Offline, we do not have strong organising agents to mobilise public action against corruption. In fact, the anger against corruption in this country is at boiling point. The youth, in particular, will seize any opportunity to express their displeasure at how corruption has robbed them work opportunities.

Fat cats

With the civil society space suffocated, it is not easy for individuals to organise themselves against a culture of corruption nurtured with impunity. Farmers know that once the monkeys no longer fear the owner of a maize farm, they will come at leisure, eat to their satisfaction and leave with great fanfare. Our billionaire fat cats do not fear anyone because over the years they have known the owner has no capacity to cause harm.

The president has made it known on many occasions that he means business fighting corruption. It will help him a great deal to open up the civil society space where many non-governmental, faith based and Community based organisations play a critical role in monitoring use of public funds.

Going the legal way alone is not going to redeem his legacy in the fight against corruption. The president should give his blessing to these civil society organisations and ensure the powers that be do not run over them when the heat starts to build from below.

Kenyans know the problems befalling them, but they feel let down. A bit of executive support will enable Kenyans mobilise and fight corruption tooth and nail. Many Kenyans abhor corruption. Just support them.

Dr Mokua teaches Media and Communication studies