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It is ironical, is it not? That these people can see the corruption others are committing but not their own, or is it because theirs is ‘a little’ corruption?
As far as I am concerned we do not have a lot and little corruption. According to The Macmillan English dictionary, Corruption is dishonest or illegal behavior by officials or people in position of power, especially when they accept money in exchange for doing things for someone. While The Concise Oxford English dictionary says that corruption is the willingness to act dishonestly in return for money or personal gain. I would rather go with the latter definition since it reflects what happens in our day-to-day life, that people are willing to act dishonestly for their own gain but when others do the same they are very quick to cry foul at the top of their voices.
It is the same people that are elected or appointed to positions of authority. How do we expect them to change? Quoting from the greatest teacher whoever lived, Jesus: “Whoever is faithful in little, shall be faithful in much” So how can we expect those unfaithful in little to be faithful in much?
If the same people decided that nobody jumps the queue and they alert the matatu officials, that person will be removed from the queue and most probably they will not try that again. Furthermore, if there were people who had the same tendencies in the queue it is unlikely that they will do the same for fear of being told off, and this way will be the first step of progress, albeit slowly.
I do not have any position of power neither do I have a lot of money, in fact my area chief does not even know I exist, in other words I have no clout at all. Does this mean that there is nothing I can do about corruption? On the contrary, there is so much I can do.
When I refuse to jump queues in a bank or a bus station and tell off the ones who do, when I refuse to give bribes to people in authority to gain favors, when I conduct myself honestly in all I do, I know I am doing a lot of things to curb corruption. I will not keep quiet in the face of corruption because, silence is its best friend. However I will not carry placards to demonstrate against corrupt individuals, without looking at myself first since it is said that my actions will speak louder than words.
When each of us plays their role in the society, in order that we have more honest people around, then corruption is going to be a thing of the past. But until then, just like we are still fighting Malaria in our country with the hope that it is going to be history soon, we will go on fighting corruption with whatever weapon we deem fit.
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Writer Profile
karen wanjiru
My Name is Karen Wanjiru. I am 23 years old and I come from Kenya. I live in the capital Nairobi. Corruption is a topic that is close to my heart because I look around and most of the ills I see are as a result of it.
I graduated last year from the University of Nairobi with a B.A in History and Kiswahili. I am very positive that as young people we can bring the change we desire. After all it all begins with me.
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Comments
Mwangi munyua | Dec 4th, 2007
I'm inspired reading your peace. Its well written, balanced and projects confidence and hope that we all can play a role. I don't know whether you heard of the world bank essay contest, its held annually and this year they invited young people to share their experiences on the corruption they face and how they would fight the same. Reading your essay reminded me that at times its not all about the leaders and government institutions involved in fighting corruption, but that if the effort is to succeed we need to collectively, as a nation, shun and commit ourselves to fighting corruption.
Good to also know you're a UoN alumni. I'm in my final year al Parki.
Cheers.
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