waweru kiarie

<h1>Corruption is a highly emotive topic in Kenya. Unfortunately, it evokes strong emotions not due to a sustained fight against it but rather due to the fact that it splits people smack down tribal lines.</h1>

<a href="http://www.pulselive.co.ke/news/local/eacc-kenya-release-2016-national-ethics-and-corruption-survey-id8171435.html" id="b60d676e-58c4-5d11-9a0d-43405a55b4e0">The country’s competitiveness or lack of is held back by high corruption levels that have infiltrated all segments of the economy.</a>

<a href="http://jiactivate.org/" id="c621e5a7-ebff-5e91-9c64-f5b502598454">The frail judicial system has only gone ahead to exacerbate the matters especially when high profile suspects of corruptions have gone scot free or with a simple slap on the wrist.</a>

Fraud in public procurement has become endemic and corruption has permeated all nooks and crevices of society to a point where it has become ‘permissible’

One of the institutions that is supposed to be in the forefront of the fight against corruption is itself mired in endless corruption claims.

The Kenya Police has constantly held the unwanted top spot of ‘most corrupt’ institution in Kenya. So bad is the murk that to get service from the police, one has to part with a bribe in many instances.

A spot check in Kajiado County painted a picture of an upset populace.

“The scarce nature of the resources available is the root of corruption,” lamented one young man.

He continued to say that “When there is monopoly of the little resources available, people are inclined to be corrupt in order to get access.”

An equally irritated lady stated “Corruption makes the gap between the rich and the poor become so big because only those people with money can take advantage of opportunities.”

Among the groups frustrated and exasperated by the seeming inability of any institution or group to halt corruption is the youth. They have been among the leading voices against the voice citing it as among the contributors to their major woes like unemployment.

However, the youth have also been caught up in the seemingly implacable web of corruption.  A survey released by Aga Khan University, East African Institute showed that half of Kenyan youth condone corruption and adore successful beneficiaries of the vice.

“50 percent believe it doesn’t matter how one makes money as long as one does not end up in jail. 47 percent admire those who hook or crook, (including hustling). 30 percent believe corruption is profitable,” the survey asserted.

They survey further confirmed the worst fears of tackling widespread corruption in the society after it revealed that 35 percent of young people are comfortable with giving or receiving bribes.

It was also disturbing to see that only 40 percent of the young people appreciate the importance of paying taxes.

Obviously alive to the gravity of the situation, President Uhuru Kenyatta declared corruption a national security threat. This was a major shift on the war on corruption that had previously been perceived as an economic crime and an integrity issue.

On his visit to Kenya, Pope Francis did not mince his words; he said corruption is a path to death. Former United States President Barack Obama underpinned the issue by reminding Kenyans that corruption costs the country 250,000 jobs annually.

It is obvious that corruption is the greatest evil in Kenya and whether or not a panacea is in the horizon is now just a waiting game.

President Uhuru declared corruption a 'National Security Threat'

Is Kenya irredeemably corrupt?

<h1>Kisumu has in the recent past been in the spotlight for negative reasons, rather than the many positives it has including its bustling businesses and incredible tourism potential.</h1>

<a href="http://www.pulselive.co.ke/news/politics/angry-youth-protest-in-kisumu-over-miguna-migunas-detention-id8176515.html" id="b8958de0-d29b-5a48-b845-2c110457ee3c">Most notably is the heightened tension that engulfs the county during most election cycles or when there is significant political tension in the country. To put it aptly, Kisumu has assumed the title of ‘Kenya’s political tinderbox’</a>

Smack in the center of the controversy is the Kenya Police. They have been accused of terrorizing and brutalizing the local citizenry whenever there are riots or demonstrations.

In 2013, shootings occurred in the wake of demonstrations against the Kenyan Supreme Court ruling on March 30 upholding President Uhuru Kenyatta’s election victory on March 4.

“Not only did the police open fire on protesters in Kisumu on March 30, but it seems they tried to conceal the evidence and intimidate the victims,“ said Leslie Lefkow, The Africa deputy director of Human Rights watch.

“It looks like the Kisumu police tragically haven’t learned any lessons from the last time they opened fire on protesters.”

During the violence that followed the 2007 presidential election, police used live ammunition unnecessarily against scores of protestors in Kisumu, killing 115 people. The killings were never adequately investigated or prosecuted.

Kisumu’s Kondele and the neighboring Nyawita settlement areas are usually the epicenters of unrest. Demonstrators barricade roads, burn tires, and loot shops.

Police also respond in kind by kicking, slapping, and whipping with sticks and batons anyone who crosses their path, irrespective of whether they are participating in violence.

Most recently when the nation anxiously waited for the landmark Supreme Court ruling that overturned President Uhuru Kenyatta’s re-election on August 1, the lakeside city was packed with security personnel ready to unleash terror in case Jubilee won and spontaneous demonstrations against the regime erupted.

The heavily armed squads were culled by celebrations that greeted the unexpected NASA court victory. With ominous insensitivity prior to the historic ruling, Nyanza Regional Coordinator Wilson Njega called a press conference to warn that police would not hesitate to use force including live bullets if residents demonstrated against Uhuru’s expected win.

Mr Njega had dodged earlier reports that body bags had been ferried to Kisumu prior to the General Election.Baby Pendo who was shot dead during violent protests has become the face of the struggle by the Lakeside City against police brutality.

Governor Nyong’o is quoted as saying “It is an attitude that has built up over the years, giving the unfortunate impression that Luo lives do not matter. It is a shame for the leadership”

<a href="http://jiactivate.org/" id="09942172-b20a-50c0-85af-bafacd5a0d43">The cycle of violence in Kisumu is not in doubt. What is in doubt is the governments determination to have the underlying issues resolved once and for all rather than sugarcoat and panel beat the issues.</a>

<a href="" id="9784738e-0fbb-5cca-9dd7-8a50a763df20">Disclaimer: The opinions and views in this article do not necessarily represent those of pulselive.co.ke  </a>

It is an attitude that has built up over the years, giving the unfortunate impression that Luo lives do not matter.

Is Kisumu Kenya's Political Tinderbox?

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waweru kiarie

Articles written by the author

Is Kenya irredeemably corrupt?

Is Kisumu Kenya's Political Tinderbox?