Yesterday, Saba Saba, comrades gathered at Uhuru Park to pay tribute to heroes who were felled by the police bullet during the recent protests. In thousands, the youth showed solidarity and steadfastness to the goal of liberation, albeit the deterrents, betrayers to the cause, and bearers of doom. 41 heroes lost, their spirit immortalized and we shall seek rest under the shade of their spiritual trees. Daima mimi mkenya!
One may wonder how the spirit of this revolution is fuelled, or even for how long the fire will keep burning. Oh, there is no fuel shortage to this fire, in our beloved land. Hardly have we recovered from fighting a bad bill passed by the legislature than we are egged on the face by the senate with the amendment conflict of interest bill. This is another conduit to enable corruption of public office holders.
They quashed provisions that prohibited government officers from seeking tenders with public entities and others that required regular declaration of wealth, including of their spouses and children, to curb unexplained accumulation of wealth. Governors, MPs, and ministers have in the past been prosecuted on graft charges related to the influence of multibillion-shilling tenders.
Former Kiambu Governor, Ferdinand Waititu and his wife, Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki and wife, Embakasi North MP James Gakuya, former Migori Governor, Okoth Obado, his wife, his children and proxies, former Kakamega Governor, Wycliffe Oparanya and his wife, Kwale Head of Treasury Vincent Mbito and his four brothers, among those facing multi-million-shilling corruption charges.
Ironically, firebrand politicians who were traditionally recognized as champions of the oppressed were behind the success of the amendments which the anticorruption agency has petitioned the National Assembly to salvage. Senator Olekina and Edwin Sifuna to mention a couple. However, I’d like to point out that they have not betrayed their color. Kenya is in want for ethical individuals holding public offices, and the ones that masquerade to be ethical and progressive are enablers of corruption and muzzles in the background.
I believe the older generation must be hiding its face in shame as the younger points out the rot our society. In all parameters of logic and spirit, the rage needs to boil on, for if we do not fight for the truth, our children will rise and condemn us, just as we are doing today. Let’s drain the swamp.
