The Cost of Corruption in Kenya

In the recent days, Kenyans have been treated with humorous episodes in the political class that have left many in stitches due to laughter but in real sense mourning. Kenya has now been ranked as the third most corrupt country in the world. The rate at which individuals in power are looting public property has won them a global recognition and soon the world title of ‘World Number One Most Corrupt Country’ will be ours.

It is now being globally said that Kenyans are skilled thieves. That Kenyans steal with passion. That they steal like there is no tomorrow. That most Kenyans steal even for the future generations. Even the president of the republic of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta knows that Kenyans are thieves. He recently proclaimed that in Israel that Kenyans are skilled thieves. Perhaps this is the reason why he prefers to travel and be away from Kenya where what people do is only whining and stealing.

According to a report released by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) the rate economic crimes in Kenya is 25 per cent above the global average. Always making sure that every record set against stealing is broken. In the year 2015 alone, economic crimes rose to 61 percent from 52 percent in 2014. There is no need of mentioning bribes for that is the norm of the day. It is estimated that Kenya loses more than 500 billion shillings each year on corruption.

The National Youth Service saga is still ongoing bringing in both the lowly and the mighty. The recent development in the NYS saga being the affidavit sworn before a court of law by former Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru. In her affidavit, Waiguru named Kipchumba Murkomen, Aden Duale and the personal assistant to the deputy president Farouk Kibet as individuals who took part in the disappearing of more than 790 million shillings. The war has now been turned into a political war with Aden Duale calling a press conference to declare war on Anne Waiguru.

The Eurobond Saga is still fresh in Kenyans minds. Allegations that close to 100 billion shillings were looted are yet to be either fully denied or confirmed. The issue was fully politicized and soon Kenyans forgot about it. What most Kenyans fail to understand is that a Eurobond loan is not like a grant. Once you take a Eurobond loan, you have to pay whether you are alive or dead. This implies that the Eurobond loan will extent to generations to come and Kenyans will have to pay whether they like it or not.

Kenyans are being robbed of their taxes. Those whose duty is to look and protect the resources that belongs to a common man have turned into wolves and hyenas. They are stealing and eating everything that comes their way without any consideration whatsoever for the current generation as well as the coming generation. It is common knowledge in Kenya now that most of our leaders are allergic to any free piece of land. They grab and make it their own any piece of land that seems as though it does not have an owner.

Ladies and gentlemen, public property is being looted. What can we do? It is their time to eat. Let them eat as we watch. Soon they will have nothing to eat and we shall eat them instead.

Article by Juma Fred.