Survey says Kenyans unhappy with govt

BY WAMBUI NDONGA

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null 1/1 KACC Director PLO Lumumba/Mike Kariuki NAIROBI, Kenya, May 30 - Close to 50 percent of Kenyans are unhappy with the country’s governance and leadership structures terming them poor, according to a survey commissioned by five non-governmental organisations. The report, dubbed the Citizens Scorecard says 49.3 percent of Kenyans are concerned with the manner in which the country’s affairs are managed noting that it remains one of the biggest setbacks in the quest for reforms. Speaking during the report’s launch on Monday, Kenya Anti Corruption Commission (KACC) Director Patrick Lumumba argued that the country’s economic progression would be hampered if there were no proper political reforms. He argued that the incessant lack of accountability and transparency among the political class dampened efforts to rid the country of poverty as it geared up for Vision 2030. “Which investor will come to Kenya when companies like Eveready are threatening to close their factories because we are allowing counterfeits to come here? When the political class is in the business of bickering? Who is that suicidal investor?” he quipped. The anti corruption czar also raised the red flag over the brain drain being witnessed in the country saying it ought to be addressed. Prof Lumumba noted that Kenya continued losing tremendous resources in human capacity due to the high levels of unemployment. According to the survey that was conducted in October 2010, unemployment was listed as the main economic problem with 17.3 percent of the 2,000 respondents singling it out. He added that employers should tackle tribalism and nepotism for the country to achieve economic growth noting that the two vices topped the list of social problems among Kenyans. “If you walk the face of Africa and in any other parts of the world you will find Kenyans there; they are just waiting to come home where they hope to be judged by the content of their character not by their ethnic extraction and those who know them,” he said. He also called on the government to undertake adequate reforms in the agriculture sector as it formed the backbone to Kenya’s economy. Prof Lumumba argued that if the sector was revamped accordingly it would create employment opportunities for Kenyans across the board. He further challenged the government to get rid off all corrupt individuals in the industry saying they risked shutting it down. “Kenya can only grow when agriculture is given its pride of place not when our veterinary lab, which is the biggest in East Africa, has been grabbed by the mandarins. How can we not have seeds yet there is a managing director who continues earning a salary?” he posed. Prof Lumumba also warned Kenyans against crucifying leaders who were qualified on flimsy grounds saying it undermined the country’s growth. He instead asked Kenyans to judge their leaders by the standards set by Chapter Six of the Constitution. “When you are good and when you are capable of delivering you will be accused of every crime on earth expect the second world war and the crucifixion of Christ,” he said. Meanwhile Kenya Human Rights Commission Executive Director Muthoni Wanyeki warned the political class against inciting negative ethnic sentiments ahead of the 2012 elections. The report was carried out by five civil societies and was conducted in 15 districts in six regions of the country. Of the 2,000 respondents 1,058 were men and 944 were women.  Follow us at TWITTER@CapitalFM_Kenya and the author at https://twitter.com/wambuindonga

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