The perpetrators of corruption are either powerful people in government or loop in people in vantage places of power in the executive, Judiciary or Legislature. It goes without saying, that someone has to knowingly act contrary to their oath of office to approve or overlook a fraudulent deal.
Another has to emasculate the grit of resultant legal process so as to aid the accused, and others will be frothing on the floor of the ‘illustrious’ house vehemently defending the accused as long as they have profited from a deal or a poised to. In Kenya, the reaction to investigations more often than not becomes the investigation.
“You cannot convince Kenyan citizens that corruption is not a way of life because they factor in proceeds of corruption in their budgets”, asserted the Head of the Civil Service and Chief of Staff to President Ruto in June 2023 while addressing civil servants.
Felix Koskei proceeded to point out the example of public transport operators who must budget for traffic police bribes, the Kenya Revenue Authority where employees are enticed with unbelievable money to ‘clean’ systems for tax evaders, and the recruitment of police and military officers where some Kenyans have to sell property like land to secure slots.
The admission by Ruto’s foremost worker was indeed brave. Discussing the corruption in the uniformed forces recruitment processes had hitherto been anathema, but most importantly, it has been long naturalised to both the perpetrators and public.
Of course corruption is a two-way undertaking where both the initiators and cooperators are culpable in the eyes of the law. Koskei has taken a no-nonsense approach where, through him, the president is devotedly rallying civil servants to be proactive in the prevention of corruption.
He has variously cautioned against the vice and informed accounting officers that they will take personal responsibility for breaking the law, while insisting on tangible and quality service delivery for Kenyans.
Recent measures taken by the government have been the collating of all government payments to the 222222 payment number hosted by the Treasury. One of recommendations of the World Bank towards upsetting corruption in government is to have simple, transparent tax systems that strengthen accountability.
The single pay bill number is one laudable initiative by the government. Effective oversight systems, transparent decision-making, meritocracy in appointments, standardised and effective audit systems, good feedback systems between government and civil society, and exhaustive and fair investigations are the guaranteed fuel to propel Kenya out of the sleaze. Anyone who does not pay for their mistakes is dangerous.
A principal secretary and others lost their jobs recently in the Ministry of Health owing to the perennial corruption that thrives in the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency where the President’s chief of staff again took centre stage showing the heavy presidents hand in the cleanup exercise.
This indicates intent by the new administration to clean up the agency that plays a crucial role in our lives. The seizure of powdered milk in Eastleigh, Nairobi, by the Kenya Bureau of Standards was monumental because big money is hard to defeat, but also demonstrated political will to fight cartels in the region.
Many people lose their lives for getting muddled up in mega corrupt deals, attempting to be whistle blowers, or while running away after defrauding corrupt associates. Conversely, others have been labelled corrupt or had mud slung at them because of political tussling linked to corruption.
The inability of the public to lay a finger on exactly where the truth happens to lie in mega corruption is another advantage the skullduggery employs to fight back. The rumour mill happens to be a smokescreen many a time. Corruption curtails foreign investment in a country, and right now, Kenya’s economy is desperate for a shot in the arm by as many investors as is possible, hence corruption cannot at all be allowed to thrive.
‘State capture’ has been said to happen in Kenya where some crème de la crème has manipulated the system for their own private benefits for decades. However, the focus cannot be on mega corruption alone.
As we have observed on this column before, a new culture needs be cultivated among Kenyans right from the level of the very young. Even as institutions are strengthened against corruption, the behaviour is extensive with ‘small’ or ‘large’ bribes issued at various levels when necessary, and many keen to readily loot public resources whenever opportunity has arisen.
The Kenyan spirit of ‘eating’ in power must be one that the President and his team work strategically to defeat. It cannot be decimated instantly. A good example of it is the failure or hesitancy to pay the Hustler funds issued at low interest to citizens by the government. Is it not impossible to conquer the centre before subduing the edges?
It might be unfeasible to end corruption in government if Kenyans are not taken through a deliberate behaviour change process. The commendation of social work by the curriculum task force recently is one avenue the government can use to instil values.
As Kenyans blame the government for not clamping down on mega corruption, they have one foot on the gas, the other on the brake. It is a near hopeless situation predicting what the people want.
While Ruto appears to want to re-invent the entire system, rather than tinker at the edges, Kenyans must reach a tilting point where they can purposely refuse to engage in corrupt processes for starters.
In the knowledge-based world of today, deep learning intelligence systems might be required to study the behaviour of the public in corrupt processes to enable the government to identify, keep track of projects and its funds.
They can enable it to reign in those who have amassed tremendous fortunes from bending the law. However, the systems must have integrity and be secure. There is popular belief that, if certain tax evaders were netted and maid to pay what they would owe, the government’s fiscal situation would be augmented. Corruption is not arsenic so people should be completely candid to demonstrate the source of their unusual wealth.
When the corrupt are caught, they should be immersed in financial predicaments so that others can learn by observing their fittingly disastrous ends. All would then grow to loath and fear corruption more. It would defuse talks of getting certain things at knock down but illegal fees, for example.
At the grassroots we can do better to ensure that funds injected in county government projects are properly utilised, the essence of devolution. There is no time to fetch anyone the ‘proper attire’, we must report corruption. People must refuse to be taken for granted, if the recent daring address of Uasin Gishu leaders; Governor Jonathan Bii, Senator Mandagor and Deputy Governor John Barorot concerning the Finland education fiasco inspired anyone.
Political commentator
