Disinfecting corruption out of Kenya

The coronavirus, or Covid-19, has the whole world in its grip and has put governments everywhere in panic mode. More and more individuals have started worrying about themselves, their parents and their grandparents. States across the globe are turning to extreme and harsh measures to keep the virus at bay and the fatalities to a minimum.
Indeed, this is not the first time the world is facing a pandemic. Some of our African brothers have tragic first-hand knowledge on how to fight the Ebola virus, and just lately, the DRC reported its first month without new infections. Unfortunately, and as is too often the case, the good news is getting drowned out by the bad news. Apparently, crisis just sells better in the news business.
Yet, the constant talk about crisis should serve as a double warning light for us. As we know from bitter experiences from the past, times of crisis seem to attract charlatans like light attracts moths. They flourish in the atmosphere of chaos and even when there is quick, forceful and determined actions by the government aimed at keeping the crisis at bay.
Cartels, or groups of individuals with some kind of connection or leeway into the halls of power will inevitably try and use this time of national emergency for their individual profit. We, as in all of civic society, need to be especially attentive and examine all decisions by the various levels of government to ensure that they profit the public and not some few hustlers. We are no strangers to corruption in normal times; now we must be especially prudent.
We must prevent the global coronavirus pandemic from serving as yet another fertile ground for scandals such as the National Youth Service (NYS) scandal, which was created to provide technical skills to those who could not proceed to institutions of higher learning and was hijacked. Instead of helping the children of poor families on their path to achieving and forging themselves a better life, its funds were looted into the pockets of heartless crooks.
However, President Uhuru Kenyatta and his team seem to be on their guard to prevent the further robbery of the coffers of the state. Whoever is still in doubt about his intentions and his powerful determination to act and succeed in the fight against corruption in Kenya, just needs to look at his recent track-record on fighting corruption. It’s unprecedented in the annals of our nation. He is draining the swamp of the NYS, and putting the programme back on track. Some of the biggest fish of that national organisation are awaiting judgement as we speak, and they will hopefully receive the harshest treatment from the judges.
And more recently, Uhuru’s war on corruption caught up with the larger than life governor of Nairobi, Mike Sonko. Sonko allowed Nairobi City Hall to turn into a metaphorical breeding ground for cartels and fishy businessmen looking to turn a quick profit. Many of the problems which plague the city today, such as traffic congestions, infrastructure deficits and pollution, can be traced back to Sonko, his gold chains and his greedy friends.
None withstanding his popularity amongst many social media followers, Uhuru made the ideological decision to let everyone in Kenya know that no one, not even Mike Sonko, is above the law. The office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) received the green light to investigate without any restraint, and they quickly found enough material to indict him.
Even though Sonko tried to evade physically and to keep or even name his cronies to continue his clutch on the city’s power-levers, Uhuru wouldn’t have any of it. His federal government took control of the city government, and Uhuru appointed the highly decorated Major-General Mohamed Abdalla Badi to take over the administration.
This should serve as a loud and clear warning for anyone even thinking about exploiting the Corona virus for his own, corrupt well-being. Uhuru will not allow the poor to be left at the mercy of gangsters trying to steal from the state. Enough is enough.
The government actions so far have been strong and on par with steps taken all over the developed world. Isolation facilities have been set up, streets and buildings are being disinfected. The battle has begun. We will get rid of and overcome the Coronavirus through proper, honest work led by a government who has Kenya’s best future at heart. And in the same way, we will eventually get rid of and overcome corruption.