HOW THE CORRUPTION WAR IS USED TO DIVERT PUBLIC ATTENTION FROM THE COVID-19 SCANDAL.

 

Has anyone noticed how the curve has been going down ever since Dennis Okari aired his explosive piece on how well-connected people with close ties to State House have been profiting from the COVID-19 billions? Or how the corruption war has gained new life with the arrests of small fish like Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa and Migori Governor Okoth Obado and his family? If you have then you join the millions of people around Kenya who know how the government is desperate to make this storm go away no matter what.

While we all know that corruption is part of the fabric of this country, the scale of this latest scandal has disgusted even those with blood on their hands, both friends and foe that some elites could scheme to embezzle funds meant to assist those affected by this Chinese virus. We have seen the reports of how politicians formed briefcase companies just to line their pockets with the COVID-19 relief funds in form of dubious tenders and kickback schemes that blew over 40 billion shillings!

Just pause for a minute and imagine how less than that stolen amount could have helped many people today, people who have lost jobs, are unable to pay their rents, buy food and are facing crippling medical bills as a result of having to take care of themselves after falling sick to this pandemic.

Some of the people involved are among the wealthiest of the land, but greed knows no bounds. They even colluded to steal Jack Ma’s donation of PPEs and testing kits and sell them to neighboring Tanzania for a handsome profit! Not only that, but they also used state resources to ensure that the goods reached the destination. Like many, I’m not surprised by this given that this is the same Health Ministry that sold blood donated by Kenyans to help Kenyans to Somalia.

It is the efforts of the government to try and divert the public from this scandal that amazes me. Look at how ‘dead’ corruption cases have suddenly come back to life. These were cases that couldn’t continue because of a lack of evidence. As usual, the culprits will be arrested in televised spectacles and taken to court, where they will secure cash bails and then be released. You cannot fight corruption in Kenya, because the rots start at State House.

These latest attempts at trying to divert the public attention will not work, because the donor community is threatening to cut off funds. The president announced last week that in 21 days, those who will be found responsible for any theft of the funds will face prosecution (Joke) and everyone is waiting to see if heads will roll.

We all know that’s never going to happen.