Alphonce Shiundu
27 November 2009
Nairobi — When Dr PLO Lumumba penned his 76-page book on the rot in Kenya politics, little did he know he would be the man slated to take over the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission and bring "political hygiene" to this "highly political society."
The March 2008 book A Call for Hygiene in Kenya Politics chronicles Dr Lumumba's frustrations as he attempted to join Parliament during the highly controversial 2007 elections.
Of interest, are his persistent complaints to the former KACC boss, Justice Aaron Ringera and former boss of the Electoral Commission, Mr Samuel Kivuitu, on the voter bribery.
Should he make past the august House -whose knack for corruption has been a subject of public debate--Dr Lumumba's work will not only be cut out, but he'd have a chance to walk the talk.
"I fear that corruption will undermine Kenya's nascent democracy if the culture of impunity is not nipped in the bud," he wrote in a hand-delivered letter to Mr Ringera on December 24, 2007.
When the reply came on the same day, it was not only reassuring, but also carried with a tinge of optimism for the then Kamukunji parliamentary candidate.
"This team is working round the clock to ensure bribery does not deny Kenyans election worthy leaders." Mr Ringera wrote back.
"We appreciate your support and wish you a merry Christmas and a prosperous, bribery free new year."
But Dr Lumumba kept the pressure high on KACC to act on the situation. His believes that "there is no way to truth and integrity, truth and integrity are the way."
While Dr Lumumba could be having his shortcomings -every human being has some--the hope he has been spreading through his message to rid the country of corruption is a signal of what to expect.
"The events of 2007 also saw the djinn [jinni] of corruption perform its macabre dance at polling stations and other places. This djinn must be returned into the bottle -the country must morally re-arm itself, Churches, Mosques and temples must reassess their role and pose and answer the question - why are our messages of pity, honesty, truth, justice and good smaritanism honoured in breach," Dr Lumumba wrote.
"Our country must put a stop to impunity. We cannot afford the luxury of living in a country where virtue is vice and vice is virtue."
The publisher of the book, Mr Barrack Muluka of Mvule Publishers gives Dr Lumumba a thumbs-up: "It is gratifying that we still have brave gentlemen like Dr Lumumba who are able to stand alone in the face of a corrupt and heavily slanted electoral machine and attempt to set the process right...."
The hope all over the country is that Dr Lumumba will not abandon the anti-graft crusade, once the President appoints him, of course, if no objections are raised in Parliament.
Fingers are also crossed that the anti-corruption law, which has been blamed for denying KACC powers to effectively fight corruption, will also get the long-overdue review, just to help the commission achieve its goals.
The politicians should take a break because Dr Lumumba has a very low opinion of their character: "The so called veteran politicians know the "game" as they prefer to call the serious business of politics.... They bribe, they cheat, their movements are subterranean and nocturnal and the voters [me and you] respond in kind. They sing, dance and chant as money and other goodies change hands and life goes on because it is a festival that takes place every five years."
If the lawyer assumes office, together with his team, come January next year, as is expected, then perhaps the people of Nyanza who shouted "gonywa" (Luo for 'release us'), those from Western who bellowed "shindu shititi (Luhya for 'something small')", the ones from Central Kenya who cried "kindu kinini" (Kikuyu for 'something small'), the Coastal people who kept calling for "kitu kidogo" Kiswahili for 'something small') , the Nairobians who yelled for "something small" and even the churches which screamed "special offerings" or the Muslim institutions which asked for "amana" (gift) will quit the cry come the 2012 elections.
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