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Citizen Weekly

Sunday 10 May 2015

Besides graft there are other lists of shame

BY JOSEPH MAKUKU
The list president Uhuru Kenyatta gave to parliament containing the names of 175 individuals specifically addresses corruption issues. It is about who ‘ate’ what and where. According to Joe Biden, US vice president, there are many good things found in fighting corruption namely patriotism and self-defense. 1Corinthians15:53 in reference to resurrection declare “corruptible must put on incorruptible….”
 It is clear from the president’s list the affected were mainly purported receivers of the benefits of the deals. It is time to name the givers since it takes two to tango. The giver and the receiver are both culpable and that is why the law whether local or international must pursue the culprits to the final end.
There are many other sectors of our society which are in dire need of correction. If corruption is defeated and other retrogressive vices thrive, then the work is only halfway done. The citizenry are duty-bound to help the government in highlighting wayward leaders who don’t observe prudent leadership norms. At this point in time, we need nothing short of a society that is free from any kind of uncouthness.
The advent of the new constitution created more leadership slots right from the village level. This in essence means an improved service delivery atmosphere where all aspects of life are attended. It beats logic that such backward practices as female genital mutilation is still rampant in some parts of our country. There has never been a convincing explanation regarding the benefits of FGM. This therefore qualifies the leaders and the perpetrators of this heinous act in the affected areas a direct entry in the list of shame.
The issues revolving around health must be handled with utmost care. A healthy population is readily available for economic production which is in itself a plus to the national welfare. It is against public health requirement for one to be without an accepted waste disposal facility. I read with renewed enthusiasm an incident in Uganda where residents of a certain location had vowed to name and shame their leaders who don’t have pit latrines in their homes. This they would do by circulating the names and photographs in all public areas including markets, schools and health facilities. This move is laudable as it goes a long way in unraveling the puzzle of preaching water and drinking wine. Leaders must remain exemplary at all times.
We all know the importance the government attaches to education as a driver of development agenda. It is also in public domain that school enrolment levels in some parts of the country are extremely low. This brings to question the efforts being made by leaders and education stakeholders in the areas under scrutiny. In the event that these leaders are found to have slept on the job, then they need to be named and shamed. The church is an integral part of national leadership. The role of the church in shaping morals and bolstering the family fabric can not be underestimated. My bone of contention is the men of the colour who engage in ‘extracurricular’ activities with their flock. These individuals must be brought to shame! Other professionals like lawyers, engineers and architects at one point or another have been found to act unprofessionally. When this happens they must be named and shamed besides the action by their respective professional bodies.
There is unnecessary and wanton destruction of the environment in this country. This has a direct bearing on the adverse climate change effects being experienced. Forests have been destroyed thus affecting rainfall patterns. The effects of unpredictable rainfall on agriculture need not be over-emphasised given the dent it puts on the country’s food security. The people on whose shoulders the onus of protecting the environment rests and have failed must be named and shamed.
It is of great importance to appreciate the fact that all sectors of our economy need each other for the country to move a head. When we eradicate corruption in all levels of livelihood and don’t pay attention to other aspects of national life our efforts will be skewed. There is need to strike a balance while going a bout the ‘cleaning’ process of our nation. 

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