Randall Smith
6 November 2009
opinion
As attorney-general for almost two decades, Mr Amos Wako has done absolutely nothing to counter the impression that corrupt officials can get away with anything in Kenya.
Several weeks ago, controversial police commissioner Hussein Ali was sacked and ended up as post-master general. It was a strange landing. But the action gave some relief to Kenyan officials who've faced strong international criticism because police have been accused of abuse, corruption and brutality.
By now, Ali must need an assistant. So why not Wako? Recently, US assistant secretary of state for African affairs Johnnie Carson said this to journalists: "Over the last 15 years, there have been a number of grand corruption scandals in this country, from Anglo-Leasing all the way back to Goldenberg.
In none of those cases, in which millions and millions of dollars have been stolen, has there been an effective prosecution of anyone. No-one has gone to jail for that." Most prominently, there has been no prosecution over the post-election violence, and Kenyan officials will have a tough time convincing The Hague that nothing should be done about these crimes.
Not surprisingly, Wako is banned from travel to the US. And not surprisingly, he's threatening to sue the US over the action. When the focus is on Wako, it's interesting that he is quick to go to court. But when the country is being robbed systematically by corrupt politicians for over two decades, he does virtually nothing. What kind of Kenyan is this?
Wako has defended himself this week, saying that he has tried to bring charges and has sought the help of the US. But the US, he said, has not been helpful when asked. In fact, America has been absolutely unhelpful. Why should the US help Wako?
Look at it from this perspective: If you'd seen a lion steal chickens for two decades, would you be inclined to help the guard who seems to fall asleep every time that the lion walks past him? The short answer: It's a lost cause.
There is an Afrian saying that goes like this: When big brother (America) catches a cold, little brother (Africa) catches pneumonia. Let me twist the saying to an American perspective on Wako: Why does little brother always blame big brother whenever little brother gets into trouble?
Those with the most to lose are defending Wako. But there is a growing voice in Kenya that recognises that there's something wrong with an attorney-general's office that does not seem to understand the meaning of justice. These voices are the real Kenyan patriots.
Progress has been made with the demotion of Ali, who has been implicated but not investigated for a series of human rights abuses. Also, the anti-corruption chief, who has few visible job responsibilities, was removed recently. But the job is far from over.
If you lost a family member in the post-election violence, why has there not been justice? If you are an average taxpayer, why does the Government turn its head when millions of shillings disappear in scandal after scandal? Where there's a double standard of justice, there is no justice.
If Wako is successful in bringing forth a legal claim, expect some interesting theatrics. But do not let him fool you with his anti-U.S. rhetoric. Kenya does not need this embarrassment. Surely, the post office can use his services.
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Mr. Wako has been in place for a long time while Kenyans and their government have been killing each other. Mr. Wako has been standing on the way of effectively seeking to know which powerfull people were responsible for the mass killing after the last mass elections. Getting rid of Ali should have been after droping Mr. Whacky Wako has been protecting Kenyan leadership even as they continue to loot and destroy Kenya.