Corruption is one of the challenges Kenya has been facing for the past few decades. Public property has been lost to members with influential positions in politics while precious public services have become a nightmare to get; what is termed as free is no longer free. There are many corruption scandals that have been reported, commissions are created while no answers are given to the Kenyan public, those who are guilty only change positions and are presented to us in another form. Among the few major scandals in Kenya this year are The NYS Scandal, Eurobond scandal and the Chicken gate Scandal. As Kenyans we are still waiting for answers though we are almost sure that the “thieves” will never be brought to book.
Taming corruption seems impossible but by positive mind and strategy, it can be done away with. First, taming corruption starts in schools, the young generation should be taught the importance of patriotism, they should be taught to remain true and honest to their nation, with such teachings being repeated over time, they become part of life(classical conditioning), any acts by the young generation that show dishonesty and misconduct should also be severely punished.
A body should be established to investigate usage of government funds on public projects. It hurts to say that government project prices are exaggerated; this is a fact even if we set a blind eye to it. A body should be created to look keenly on tender allocations and prices of commodities being used; the body should also go to the field and ensure that the mentioned project is done as per tender agreements and within the agreed time.
Appointing qualified people to relevant positions. It is a waste of time to appoint an engineer to do the work of a banker. In the same way, many appointments done by politicians focus more on the person rather than the qualifications and the skills they posses, this in turn makes the appointees puppets of the appointer in order to retain the positions.
Measures should be put in place to punish corrupt members of the society. As a country we do not need commissions to investigate into corruption allegations, in fact these commissions are where the government is losing funds in salaries and sitting allowances for no good course.
Individuals should be investigated independently by qualified men, the evidence evaluated and reports given within the shortest time possible. The punishments for those found guilty should vary depending on the graft depth. Among the punishments can be life sentences, life imprisonments and long jail terms without bonds.
Corruption can be tamed, it needs the nation to come up strong against it and do the right thing at the right time in the right manner with the right people and at the right place. Standards of morality should also be upheld, we as a nation need to come up as honest, humble and more brotherly.
The Standard Group Plc is a
multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper
print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The
Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key
influence in matters of national and international interest.
join