Benson Nyagesiba
3 July 2009
Nairobi — Corruption took centre stage at Nyanza primary and secondary schools music festival at Itierio High School in Kisii South District.
Pupils moved the audience with various choral pieces that indicted corrupt government officials whose actions robbed the country of millions of shillings.
The young learners said in their presentations that corruption in the country could only be wiped out if leaders stopped being greedy and joined the rest of the population in the fight against the vice.
They said corruption was rife in government offices where youths with good qualifications were turned away because they could not afford to pay kickbacks to greedy bureaucrats.
Buying food
The pupils also depicted in their presentations that commissions to investigate those involved in fraud were a waste of resources that could be channelled to better use like buying food for the needy.
They said that due to massive corruption, children and women were dying of hunger while the leaders and their families lived in luxury.
The pupils likened corruption to an incurable disease, saying unless the vice was tackled from the top, no development would take place.
They used the occasion to challenge members of Parliament to pay taxes, and asked why should lawmakers exempted themselves when egg vendors paid levies.
Other areas extensively highlighted by the learners were female genital mutilation and HIV and Aids.
The children called on young girls in communities that practised female circumcision to denounce it.
The festivities were divided into two, with primary schools doing their bit from Monday to Thursday while the secondary schools performances began yesterday and end on Sunday.
Host of challenges
The provincial treasurer, Mr Julius Onyando, said the festivities faced a host of challenges ranging from transportation to accommodation.
He, however, said despite the hiccups, the performances were going ahead smoothly.
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