House finally shows way forward on tackling crime

When MPs put their mind to serious work, they are exemplary. This was amply demonstrated on Wednesday with the passing of the Prevention of Organised Crimes Bill 2010. But then again, such zeal in the public interest appears like a solar eclipse.

The Bill protects whistleblowers and witnesses against those charged with criminal gangs and offenders face a fine not exceeding Sh500,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years or both.

Other wide-ranging provisions include related offences such as oathing, obstruction of justice and retaliation against witnesses. The best part is that property acquired illegally, once traced, can be seized and forfeited to the State.

The Bill comes in a week that has seen a terror attack on a crowded Kampala eatery, one month after an explosive end to a campaign rally at Uhuru Park in Nairobi, and commencement of a suit over a container-load of illegally acquired guns and ammunition in Narok town.

The Bill, moved by Internal Security Minister George Saitoti, only awaits President Kibaki’s assent to become law so that citizens can sleep easier.

Out of action

Such a high profile response would in part assuage critics of the public security ministry that has been seen to be apathetic, slow and perhaps overwhelmed by a surge in organised crime.

As voters move into another electoral cycle, crime too tends to follow suit.

It is sobering that mechanisms are in place to put those that reap where they do not sow out of action, or even better, make crime so expensive it doesn’t pay.