Business as usual in Nairobi: 10.0: Kiraitu Murungi plays footsies with reality
Business as usual in Nairobi 9.0 is in the hopper and will be online shortly. Content: grand corruption in Kenya. Ory Orkolloh over at kenyanpundit.com already beat me to it but this is an issue that Kenyans still need to shake a few more sticks at.
But, as always, on to more pressing issues.
According to the Daily Nation, after things really heated up in the last week or two, Kiraitu Murungi has come out and “addressed” the issues with regards to his participation in the activities of Anglo-Leasing and grand corruption in Kenya in general in light of all the debate going on centering around the Githongo Report which is now available from BBC too.
What is missing in his statement is much more telling than what is present.
He said: “I have listened to the alleged tape recorded evidence. It is truncated, inaudible, insufficient and inadmissible to form any credible proof of the allegations being orchestrated by Githongo.”
Of course there is more to this interview than just this single statement but I would loath to quote an entire Kiraitu Murungi speech. It is enough to notice that Kiraitu Murungi does not deny his participation. In fact, he seems to specifically go out of his way to avoid dealing with the issues raised. Trying to play the inquisitor, a game many of Kenya’s current crop of politicians perfected in the Nyayo era, he shifts the focus from his actions to those of Mr. Githongo by attempting to question the motives behind Githongo’s actions and the resources supporting him in his work.
Make no mistake Mr. Kiraitu Murungi, no one is fooled by your playing footsies with reality.
Your attempts to divert attention from the allegations raised by Mr. Githongo in his report on your participation in grand corruption, to the personality and motives of Mr. Githongo, whether his father borrowed money or not, whether he met with diplomatic representatives of other nations or not and whether or not he taped other conversations or whatnot amount to nothing.
Deal with the issues at hand.
+ Did you or did you not participate in the looting from the Kenyan people that has been and continues to take place? If so, stand up and face the music.
+ If you did not participate in looting and grand corruption, attempt to present evidence to this effect. If you have no evidence, then state this and claim your innocence. Kenya law maintains that you are innocent until proven guilty.
Never forget what is at stake here.
This is not purely an attempt to defame your character. That is a side effect of the real matter at hand, the close to $1billion that was to be stolen from Kenya’s private treasury through shady contracts. Githongo’s report and recorded conversations with you put you right in the middle of the conspiracy to loot from the nation and people of Kenya.
Never forget that Mr. Githongo was carrying out his appointed responsibility when he came after you for your actions. He was not executing a personal vendetta but acting entirely within the limits of his office as the chief functionary of the Government of Kenya responsible for identifying and weeding out corruption. He was and continues to be an instrument and champion of the Kenyan people and their messenger.
And as the old story does tell us all, do not attack the messenger.
To our leaders, never forget the lesson drilled into all of us as children. Stand up and take responsibility. As a leader, you should do nothing less. Mr. Mwiraria is a case in point.
To the government, never forget that Kenya have been waiting for a time just like this when the accused of bleeding her dry would be brought to justice. Never forget that you will be judged by how you deal with the crisis at hand.
Do not be found wanting since history rarely forgives. And history never forgets.
To all, a word to the wise, read Proverbs 29:24
This entry was posted on Saturday, February 11, 2006 at 2:08 am. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can also leave a response or trackback from your own site.
5 Responses to “Business as usual in Nairobi: 10.0: Kiraitu Murungi plays footsies with reality”
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Whispering Inn says:
February 11, 2006, 2:03 pm -
Open Blog: KenyaUnlimited » Kenyan blogosphere Dispatch says:
February 13, 2006, 5:26 pm[...] Ntwiga thinks Mr. Murungi is “playing footsies with reality” and asks some questions that he would need to answer to “deal with the issues at hand” + Did you or did you not participate in the looting from the Kenyan people that has been and continues to take place? If so, stand up and face the music. + If you did not participate in looting and grand corruption, attempt to present evidence to this effect. If you have no evidence, then state this and claim your innocence. Kenya law maintains that you are innocent until proven guilty. [...]
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Global Voices Online » Blog Archive » Kenyan blogosphere Dispatch says:
February 13, 2006, 6:24 pm[...] Ntwiga thinks Mr. Murungi is “playing footsies with reality” and asks some questions that he would need to answer to “deal with the issues at hand” + Did you or did you not participate in the looting from the Kenyan people that has been and continues to take place? If so, stand up and face the music. + If you did not participate in looting and grand corruption, attempt to present evidence to this effect. If you have no evidence, then state this and claim your innocence. Kenya law maintains that you are innocent until proven guilty. [...]
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elias says:
February 16, 2006, 9:04 amInteresting we are dealing with official corruption here. Something official means most people in position of power does not even know what amounts to corruption hence end up blaming their juniors in which case demonstrates ignorance on the part of our office bearers.
I wish we could be guided by the sense of common natural justice. Though this is a system which does not define anything but leaves you with your conscious to choose what is best and right.
The likes of Murungi who are rated to have some of the best legal brains to take advantage against their own country I feel is treasonable in its own right and should be punished with the contempt it deserves.
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Steve says:
February 16, 2006, 10:31 am@elias
The likes of Murungi who are rated to have some of the best legal brains to take advantage against their own country I feel is treasonable in its own right and should be punished with the contempt it deserves.
I have to agree with that.
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We give our politicians too much credit. Our problem is that we are dealing with official corruption. Goldenberg and Anglo-Leasing were santioned by very senior folks and despite all the protestations, the cash is used for political purposes - especially elections.
The key is to empower the KACC and give it complete autonomy and some serious teeth! Ditto with PAC. Until then, the corrupt fellas are gonna keep playing footsie with us and, like the Kenyan Pundit said, every new government we vote in will protect the previous thieves because they themselves will soon be knee-deep in their own scandal!