In the last two weeks, the media have been covering the demolition of expensive buildings at Syokimau and Eastleigh.
Excavators destroyed posh residential and business buildings allegedly built on illegally-acquired land belonging to the Kenya Airports Authority, which claimed to have the legitimate title deed for the land.
The buildings, it said, were constructed right in the path to the approaches to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport runway.
As for the Eastleigh highrise buildings, they were deemed to be too close to the Moi Air Force Base fence, or were built on the approaches to the runway, posing danger to aircraft.
But why did the authorities not prevent the development of these properties earlier? Why were the Kenya Airports Authority, the Ministry of State for Defence and the Ministry of Transport silent all these years?
Why was Ministry of Lands, the Mavoko County Council as well as City Council of Nairobi allowing the construction of the buildings, and even issuing title deeds to the land on which these building stood?
Is it all a matter of perfect timing for the convenient correction of past mistakes brought about by corruption.
In the case of Eastleigh, as a consequence of the war on Al-Shabaab, terrorists could easily rent these tall buildings and gravely endanger approaching Air Force jets and even the base itself.
As for Syokimau, the buildings lie right in the path of commercial aircraft approaching the international airport. Consequently, with the security threat brought about by Al-Shaabab and their sympathisers these buildings were considered a disaster in waiting.
The demolition was reportedly approved by the Cabinet. In view of the efforts towards the success of Operation Linda Nchi, I opine that the Cabinet decision was justified.
Nevertheless, the question is this: How did we get into this mess in the first place?
I submit that every Kenyan is to blame. The central government is at fault, Ardhi House and the City Council and all concerned are at fault.
The individual Kenyans who took possession of the land and developed it are equally to blame. Finally, all Kenyans should share blame for embracing corruption as a way of life.
Mwalimu Julius Nyerere once described Kenya as a “man eat man society’’. He did that because he noticed that Kenyans’ love for acquiring wealth through illegal means was unparalleled.
Our leaders taught us to admire wealth and abhor poverty. That would have been a virtue had we been led to simultaneously embrace a decent, honest and clean way to acquire this wealth, with respect for the rule of law.
But corruption, utter disregard for the law, and taking short-cuts to acquire property, became part of our social fabric.
Every Kenyan is to blame for this sorry state of affairs – with the exception of the poor rural folks whose poverty has been perpetuated by the top and middle class elites of urban areas.
In the last nine years of his rule, President Kibaki tried hard to make Kenyans honest, hardworking and law-abiding.
He ensured all paid their taxes and government collected a lot of revenue, dilapidated roads were restored and infrastructure improved.
He encouraged Kenyans to work hard and save money to increase the national wealth while dramatically opening up democratic space and nurturing freedom of speech.
He, however, leads the country through many other political leaders. These are Members of Parliament, mayors and chairmen of municipal and county councils, ministers, their assistants, permanent secretaries and the entire civil service.
It is now one year since we promulgated the new Constitution and we are busy in its implementation. As we approach the next general election under the new dispensation, I appeal to all Kenyans to abandon the old habits of impunity.
We must support fully our President in obeying laws and the transition to the new dispensation as a united and peaceful people.
Maj-Gen (Rtd) Farah is a commissioner with the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission.
No comments:
Post a Comment