JKIA drama smacks of barbarism

The drama at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Monday night that saw MPs Mike Mbuvi a.k.a Sonko (Makadara), Ferdinand Waititu (Embakasi) and Juja’s William Kabogo engage police officers in a scuffle as they tried to force their way into the international departures terminal was shameful.

Shame is the only word that describes the ugly incident of MPs, who were not travelling, causing a senseless stampede at one of Africa’s leading airports.

I felt sorry for intimidation that the officers suffered as they struggled to hammer sense into these ‘not-so-honourable’ MPs and restrain them from entering the departure lounge. The MPs had allegedly gone to the airport to see off Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta who was checking in to leave for his confirmation of charges at The Hague.

The particular MPs have lately perfected the art of ‘photo-ops’ to seek cheap publicity but the Monday incident painted them in very bad light in the face of the world, given JKIA is a major entry point into Africa. The manner in which they argued and shoved police officers, who were simply doing their noble duty of ensuring sanity, peace and order at the facility, was least expected from leaders of their stature. If the trio can’t respect authorities, how do they expect their subjects in their respective constituencies respect them?

The incident was simply ugly as it played out on TV and left me, and many others who watched it, wondering who really was honourable between the policemen or the politicians.

I couldn’t help pity an officer trying in vain to explain to MPs, who according to me should know better, that JKIA is an international airport that serves not only Kenya but the entire world and that their behaviour was a disgrace to the country.

The officer went as far as literally begging the MPs to use the VIP lounge because only departing passengers are allowed to go past the security checkpoint.

After all, this is a common practice at airports, the world over.

Apparently, the MPs and their bodyguards felt the officer was ‘disrespectful’ and had to force their way. Such behaviour, coming hot on the heels of other similar anarchical theatrics by Sonko and Waititu should be denounced and punished by law. MPs are not above the law and should be held by the same standards as thousands of others who pass through JKIA daily.

The airport incident only helps to prove the long held belief that most of our MPs are ‘not-so-honourable’. The trio’s argument made no sense but only reinforced their misplaced notion that they are above the law and that they can do whatever they want, where and when they like.

Dented national image

Imagine first time visitors to Kenya who might have witnessed the incident. What do they think of our national virtues? That ‘Karibu Kenya, the land of lawlessness’ is our national motto or slogan?

The fact that Uhuru, who had just gone past the gate as a departing passenger did not deem it necessary to turn around and plead their case clearly showed these MPs and their hired goons had no business being at that gate. I would think the trio have travelled wide enough to know there are basic rules that govern global aviation and that the rules must be adhered to regardless of one’s socio-political status.

In my opinion, the MPs’ behaviour can only be explained in two ways. First, that it was an indication of how deep-rooted impunity is among our national leadership. Their perceived belief that being MPs elevates them to a level where they can do anything and get away with it.

They did get away with it but I hope the Commissioner of Police Mathew Iteere is watching the CCTV tape with the intention of correcting the misconception and misconduct of causing a breach of peace in a public facility.

Secondly, the MPs’ behaviour is only acceptable among deviants acting under the influence of some uncontrolled substance.

Human behaviour experts argue that people who abuse uncontrolled substance are often oblivious to their surroundings.

I hope Kenyans will judge these leaders by their behaviour and punish them at the polls. As a country that relies heavily on tourism we cannot afford to condone ‘honourables’ scaring away visitors at such an important point of entry.

If no action is taken against these MPs, then have no doubts that ours is a shameless nation of lopsided priorities.

{Timothy Kaberia, Via Email}