Treasury and ‘culture of impunity’

By Peter Okong’o

The term "culture of impunity" may sound clichÈ, but when used against the background of what played out in Parliament last week, it acquires a frightening tag.

Some of the biggest scandals in Government over the last 20 years were due to the failure of MPs to scrutinise bills with keen eyes, and spot discrepancies that would end up costing the taxpayers billions of shillings.

The most worrying thing about Uhuru’s "typing error", goes beyond the arrogant manner in which he tried to brush off the as yet unexplained "borrowing" of an extra Sh9.2 billion from the Consolidated Fund.

Uhuru is unashamedly being fronted as a successor to President Kibaki by his party Kanu, and a section of the Party of National Unity (PNU).

But his behaviour, thus far, has dented his claims to the country’s top office — and rightly so, since ability to properly manage State coffers should be among the qualifications for anyone aspiring to be the country’s chief executive.

It is even more worrying that beyond the tame possibility of censure by Parliament — highly unlikely after his counterpart William Ruto escaped one — Uhuru who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, appears not to care one whit about how Treasury’s failure has portrayed him.

Kenya is still suffering the effects of the Goldenberg scandal that saw taxpayers pay for fictitious imports of gold, after approval by Parliament. And then there was Anglo Leasing. With a fractured Coalition Government in place, the possibility of other "typing errors" slipping through the eyes of Treasury PS Joseph Kinyua, remains a distinct danger.

Kinyua, just like Uhuru, should not escape unscathed from the fire lit by his casual handling of the Supplementary Budget.

Respected as he is, for his long service and undoubted skills and experience, he has been found wanting in this instance.

Parliament must not allow its dignity to be eroded by the casual dismissal of something so grave, with the flippant explanation that it was "just a typing error."

Playing politics

Without pre-empting the work of the Parliamentary Committees now poring over the figures, we are justified in questioning Uhuru’s ability to head such a key ministry.

When he rushed to brush off the allegations by Imenti Central MP Gitobu Imanyara, Uhuru was playing the politician, and forgot to wear the hat of the Finance Minister.

And by fooling Parliament, he cannot now claim that his right hand — or even the rest of his minions, ambushed him — although all bear an equal share of blame.

What we saw at Friday’s Press conference, and in Parliament earlier, was a performance best suited to Nollywood, than Treasury, but Uhuru may yet redeem himself. We’ll be watching.