"Pointy Fingers Syndrome" has taken Kenya with a storm

Recently the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) revoked the driving licenses of some 69 drivers after receiving a list of over 80 rogue drivers from Traffic Commandant Jecinta Muthoni.  Apparently 53 of those whose licenses were revoked had failed their tests only for an examiner to alter their results to “pass”. The commandant blamed the NTSA for issuing unmerited licenses, claims that were starkly denied by the authority. The authority stated that the police are to blame saying that they are the ones responsible for examining the students and deciding who passes and who fails.

The above scenario clearly reveals the chronic disease ailing our beloved country – “pointy fingers syndrome”.  We seem to have perfected our skills in playing the blame game. Nobody wants to take responsibility for one’s mistakes and failures. This cuts across the hierarchy of our leadership, right from the top to bottom. Considering the case above it is quite clear that the police officers are at fault since they are the examiners in driving tests, NTSA only issues licenses based on data uploaded in their system. But rather than accept they are wrong the police are quick to heap the blame on the authority.

I dare say that one of the main reasons for Kenya’s political woes and wrangles is due the inability of our leaders to be brave enough to own up to their mistakes. “Pointy fingers” seems to be title of the script followed in developing the story of this country’s politics and struggles. Hence if a corrupt deal or graft involving billions of money cannot be swept under the carpet from the public’s eye it is quickly blamed on the person or ministry that might easily appear guilty. And so Kenyans have been reduced to mere spectators watching our “much trusted” elected leaders face off against each other in the blame game as our nation crumbles.

If we are to experience the much needed change and development in this country then the stakeholders of our country’s affairs must ditch this blame game, beginning from the local chief’s office to the State House.  They must be quick to accept responsibility for mistakes done and strive to fix them swiftly and in the most efficient way possible. Otherwise we can chant the rhetoric “Kenya mpya” and “maendeleo” all we want but we will never live to see them materialize.