Leaders lack integrity

Leaders lack integrity
I highly applaud the press for their untiring efforts to expose the increasing decay in our midst, particularly the plunder of our national resources by public trustees. Without viable opposition, the press must not cease to condemn what they believe are injustices to the people of Kenya by those entrusted with power and authority to govern and safeguard public interest. Challenging our institutions, either by private citizens, churches or through the press is not an assault against those institutions but a mere attempt to provide an alternative interpretation that may be hidden from those charged with responsibility to govern. Criticisms often provide a funnel view, enlarging the scope of issues for healthy debates and solid policies.
Over the years, the governed have watched with disbelief, the growing culture of our leaders to lie to the public, believing their audience is highly gullible and will entertain their garbage without question. From the helm of our leadership sits hypocrisy and impunity, a decay which will sink Kenya to the ranks of failed states. In parliament, public meetings and in courts, our leaders have chosen to ration truth even when they are guilty.
Overwhelmed by power and money, our leaders are hardly in leadership to cushion the poor from adverse effects of power imbalance, poverty or diseases. They are instead perched up high, like vultures looking for pray to pounce on, all for their own gains. Power has become an avenue to wealth, not service to the people.
What is propelling the culture of rot amongst our most trusted leaders? Why is impunity so entrenched in government that public servants can hardly own up when they are caught up in a web of decay?

Time and again, we have be bombarded by lists of shameful deeds by honorable Mps, civil servants etc yet those adversely mentioned continue to serve, without even seeking apology from the people they purport to lead. There is little remorse in them as they continue to plunder the meager resources of our nation, gluttonously grabbing all in their path as if there is no tomorrow, as if the destiny of 40 million Kenyans is not an issue to them.
Kenyans are appalled by the breed of leaders our country has been cursed with, people who are greedy, insincere and self centered. Each time they are confronted with their ills, they stoke the anger of their kin for protection. Their personal problem becomes a burden to the constituents, asking them to rally behind their man (Tribe), against their tribal enemies. In doing so, they have continuously used us a shield to protect them from due process of the law. It is the cheap politics of publicity that our elected leaders prefer to hold public rallies instead of having constructive debates in parliament. Rallies have become avenues to incite or seek public sympathy rather to engage the audience in any constructive debates.
The greatest plunder of our resources occurred under the previous regimes and the trend has continued unperturbed. Leaders, particularly those in political good books have witnessed the decay, as they pledge loyalty to powerful office bearers. Today some are senior cabinet ministers with sight still set for higher offices. For a song they have acquired huge chunks of land, prime city plots and big jobs for their relatives while the rest of the nation sinks deeper into oblivion. Power and wealth has since independence becomes a preserve a select few, who continue to perpetuate the status quo through a firm grip at the top.
In comparison to many other countries, Kenyans do not have any sense of guilt. Corruption and plunder is adored and rewarded not condemned. In other parts of the world, public outcry even by junior citizens is not taken lightly by public trustees. In this regard, many in developed nations are highly sensitive and tread carefully to avoid the wrath of the public.
As long as we continue to equate wealth with leadership, we will reap the fruits of poor governance.
PATRICK OPONDI
WASIO-MIGORI