I Bend My Head In Shame For Kenya Friday, September 13, 2013 - 21:56 -- BY NDUNG'U WANAINA The entire shame of Members of National Assembly purporting to give solidarity to ICC indictees raise three fundamental questions about Kenya political leadership and its impact on the reputation of the country. First, the moral character of the political leadership in Kenya. Secondly, the ethical values that this leadership articulate and represent. Thirdly, the morality of the processes of social ethical choices and action that these Members of the National Assembly engage and collectively pursue. What does the world make of Kenya political leadership whenever their pictures are beamed globally singing and dancing in solidarity with international crimes indictees while victims are deplorably neglected? Justice is about victims. The Constitution is awash with ethics, integrity and good governance tenets. Are they just a collection of pious platitudes? The MPs are public officials who hold office as a trust and exercise authority in a manner promoting dignity and honour of the office as well as confidence in integrity of the office. Any public official is accountable to the public for decisions and actions he or she takes. Can these MPs shaming and embarrassing Kenya all over the world be custodians and trustees of fidelity to law and culture of legality? Can they uphold rule of law as the national value and principle of governance? Can they support and popularize ideals of a people and country governed by law as well as adherence to principles and procedures? From listenting to the FM radio stations, watching TV stations and reading newspapers which tout the MPs as role models. This is leadership moral decay. Do Kenyans and the media in cheering this kind of leadership have any moral ground to raise finger against the misbehaviour of their leaders? I had expected Kenyans would rise in real protest against this shame. To show their rejection hate for unethical and leadership without integrity. Not a single tear has been shed for the victims as eyes have remained dry and aglow with cheering the abhorrent conduct of Kenya leadership. The song and dance at the doorsteps of the ICC beamed around the world say a lot about who and what Kenyan MPs are and which side of the law they belong. In all this, l bend my head in shame. Let me illustrate something here about reputation of a country. A reputable country is measured using three things: effective government, advanced economy and appealing environment. Under “effective government”, a country with a robust reputation is expected to have adopted progressive social and economic policies, is a responsible participant in the global economy, is a safe place and operates efficiently. Already Kenya has been classified as ‘the world’s easiest place to start a shell company”. It has been declared as the ‘top abuser of international rules’. It is fingered out as ‘top abuser of global regulations on money laundering, terrorism and tax evasion’. And without an iota of shame, MPs have at the top of their voices and actions told the world rule of law is alien in Kenya! Under “advanced economy”, a reputable country is supposed to produce high quality products/services, is an important contributor to global culture, is technologically advanced, has a well-educated workforce, and values education. The furthest Kenya has done on each of these is to move few steps up from below. Moreover, under “appealing environment”, a reputable country is supposed to be a strong adherence of rule of law, provide fair regulations and procedures for competitive business and investments and the people are friendly. A good reputation of country makes other countries and global enterprise connect with you. It makes them to respect the country, and make positive comments about the country and its people. A good reputation makes investors to invest in the country. A strong/robust reputation is an invaluable, intangible asset to any company, country or leader. Reputation is not earned by sloganeering, propaganda or the so-called “image-laundering” which is the practice of quacks. Reputation is the result of hard work — effective governance, appealing place, good people and strong economy. Are Kenyans at all concerned about the country’s reputation with the international community in the wake of conduct of MPs on the ICC issue? There were high expectations that Kenya had taken a step into building a country governed by laws after the promulgation of the new constitiution. What a tragedy that all this is being put to risk by the actions of a few individuals? Kenya remains a very fragile country. Yet political expediency and dishonesty will forever ruin Kenya. Democratic gains including the rule of law taking centre stage in both the discourse and practice of politics is remain vulnerable and is fast fading even before it gains ground. What is clear is that the rule of law is dispensable whenever it stands in the way the political goals and ambitions of a few individuals. The single most important asset for any country worth a name is its credibility, reputation and integrity. It is painful that our legislators are the ones subjecting the country to international ridicule and embarrassment. Regrettably, Kenyans are cheering on. Wainaina is Executive Director, international center for Policy and Conflict: [email protected]
Posted on: Sat, 14 Sep 2013 08:26:50 +0000
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