Current war on graft will succeed if the citizenry change their attitudes

Police officers block family members of NYS suspects from accessing the Court. [Beverlyne Musili/Standard]

No Kenyan disputes the fact that corruption has done great harm to the nation. Whether directly or indirectly, we see and feel its detrimental effects. No wonder, when a comedian asked some primary school children: ‘What is Kenya’s gift to the world?’ One of them swiftly replied: ‘corruption’. After reading or watching news about the astonishing graft scandals at the National Youth Service (NYS) and the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB), many will agree with the boy’s response.

However, the persistent nature of the malfeasance both in terms of frequency and scale ironically depicts a vice that has got a favourable environment for its malignant existence, growth and spread. A leading factor that makes the crime of corruption look “normal” and unpunishable in the country is seen in the ignoble behaviours of some of the citizenry.