By SELINA CHITERI

They have made it a necessary evil, an anchor to their political and economic survival and prosperity. Corruption to them is their lifeline, their means to wealth with no definitive limit on how far one can go without getting caught. Like armed robbers, they stretch far and wide looting taxpayers, destroying livelihoods and killing opportunities for millions of Kenyans who toil and moil to create a good future for themselves, their loved ones and future generations.

And many a times, these acts of corruption have led to loss of lives as assailants eliminate any obstacles that may lead to a revelation of unearthing their looted bounty. This is criminal and those who commit these heinous acts of corruption are criminals and should be treated as such. But what we are currently witnessing especially from the political class are a people who feel entitled to continually engage in their corrupt practices with no form of remorse or retribution.

Over the recent past, the country has seen an upsurge of politicians being implicated in corruption scandals of unsurmountable amounts with tangible evidence provided by investigative agencies when presented to the courts. An endless and repetitive affair, a number of them have had corruption charges levelled against them ranging from conspiracy to commit an offence of corruption, money laundering and acquisition of proceeds of crime, fraudulent acquisition of public property, conflict of interest, fraud among other related charges.

Popular names that have sprang up include former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko and former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu who were both ousted from their positions and have pending charges in court. Samburu Governor Moses Lenolkulal is another corruption culprit who seemed to have curtailed a possible ouster after an Sh84 million fuel-supply scandal where he is facing charges of a conspiracy to commit an economic crime and also facing abuse of office charges. The governor is said to possess unexplained assets which he is said to have amassed since 2013.

Incidentally, the suspected politicians are affiliated to the TangaTanga wing. And that’s why  it is appalling when “supporters” claim that they are being targeted as a result of their association with Deputy President William Ruto. Despite tangible evidence presented in the courts, the politicians feel that they are a cut above the rest and their wanton greed for public funds is justifiable by the fact that they are politicians. Why would they come out to claim that they are being lynched yet what their colleagues are engaging in are pure acts of criminality?

What would one say of an individual facing a seventy-two-year jail sentence? Has he not deprived deserving Kenyans of their livelihoods, opportunities for growth, access to social amenities and every other cost of corruption that negatively affects citizens? This is what may befall Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua who has several corruption charges levelled against him with monies that were swindled out of Kiambu. So, why would the DP and his ilk come out to claim persecution? And if this is so where is former Sirisia MP John Waluke and what do they say of him now? Persecution or a downright criminal?

In what yet again denied farmers their source of livelihoods over graft, the Sirisia MP John Waluke was, back in 2020, sentenced for 67 years in prison after he was convicted for the Sh314 million fraudulent maize dealings at the National Cereal and Produce Board, or pay up a cumulative fine of Sh2.1 billion. The MP and his co-accused are, however, free as they await the outcome of an appeal they filed.

For the sake of clarity, a criminal is described as a person who has committed a crime, and corruption is a crime that has had a negative effect on our country with all affected in varying levels. Unfortunately, despite the denied development, despite the denied social amenities, loss of property and many more losses, TangaTanga politicians have taken a stand to protect their counterparts over ill-gotten money denied to counties and constituencies, and even the national government.

Whichever way it goes, it must not forestall the ongoing war on graft. People must pay up for their criminality in the measure deserved.

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