A lot has been said about Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i in the past two weeks, all of which has been complimentary. Whilst not in any way begrudging him his new-found fame and favour, it is important to urge caution to all those declaring him fit for the highest office. As the old adage goes, “In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king”.
Matiang’i has performed exceptionally well on the job that he was appointed and is paid for. He is deserving of many of the accolades coming his way. He stands out like a beacon in a sea of mediocrity, and in a nation desperately in need of heroes and role models, he appears to be Man of the Year.
Perhaps what Kenyans should be doing is demanding that all the other civil servants work as hard. Let this be an opportunity for Kenyans to compare themselves with best international practices by using Matiang’i as a reference point.
This country has for decades been content with comparing itself to the decadent standards of its neighbours, thereby falling prey to the self-fulfilling prophesy of mediocrity. We also pray that Matiang’i passes his biggest test yet … that as leadership is akin to a marathon race and never a sprint.
Recent reports have it that 273 MPs are alleged to have siphoned off Sh4 billion from the public kitty. This has somewhat dampened our optimism. It is a damning indictment that shows that 94 per cent of our leaders willingly, consciously and constantly engage in acts of corruption. That the same behaviour or actions cut across party lines is even more frightening. If these avaricious legislators are the current role models for our youths, then the country has dug itself into a deep dark hole — and keep digging. Our National Assembly has on several occasions declined to be subjected to external-regulation.
An evaluation by the EACC some months ago on the financial management, systems, policies, procedures and practices of the Parliamentary Service Commission revealed some glaring irregularities. These included former MPs getting monthly payments, members signing up for allowances for absent colleagues false mileage claims among other malpractices.
When National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi attempted to table the report for debate, he was almost lynched by the MPs to the extent of threatening to table a no-confidence motion against him. In an act of self-preservation, the Speaker beat a hasty retreat and withdrew the motion. This in itself was an overt act of corruption. Who will bell the cat?
The Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee was also found to be riddled with corruption and its then chairman was forced to step aside. Kenyans are alarmed the National Assembly, an institution that has been found culpable then refuses to submit itself to scrutiny and regulation, can be trusted with investigating others. Corruption undermines democracy and destroys the national fabric. When it is perpetuated by lawmakers, it becomes a national disaster. Our parliamentarians have become a law unto themselves and sadly thus far, nobody has been courageous enough to challenge them. Every Kenyan is jointly and severally an accomplice by omission in allowing legislative kleptomaniacs to operate and thrive in impunity. The voter has the power and wherewithal to bring about change by voting out these wolves in sheep’s clothing masquerading as political leaders.
Civil society has the uphill task of educating and changing the mindsets of the citizenry across the country. It is an enormous task, given that many have taken to worshipping wealth and the wealthy without any regard as to how it was obtained. Indeed one of the drivers of corruption in this country is the need by politicians to buy votes from constituents at every general election in a five-year cycle.
The likes of Fred Matiang’i have shown that a single courageous Kenyan can catalyze change and bring order to chaos. It is time to stand up and be counted.