The Grand Scam(Part 3)

Dominic Odipo’s commentary, in The Standard on June 30^th 2008, was well on point. He argued that Cabinet Ministers are knowingly ignoring the rule of law largely because they know that even if they flout a thousand laws, nothing whatsoever will happen to them. And he’s right. After all, this is Kenya; nothing ever happens to the tope elite, even when they contravene the rule of law. They are indeed the “untouchables.” That’s why Amos Kimunya can afford to say that all the ministers who are chastising him for selling off public property at a throw away price, should themselves resign as they are proving to be incompetent.

I must admit that I too have been thoroughly bemused by this apparently “clean deal” that is the sale of the Grand Regency and all the bickering and cacophony that has kicked off the week.

I may not understand the dynamics with which Amos Kimunya “sealed the deal”, so to speak, nor who exactly are the new owners of this controversial piece of property. But what I do know for a fact is that Kimunya will not resign.

He knows that whatever he did was purely based on vested interests. He dared not spare a thought for the taxpayers.

And he did all this with the comforting notion that absolutely nothing would be done to him.

Infact, it would come as a huge surprise if he were to actually heed the full throated calls of Kenyans and his colleagues alike and resign. Because, as we all know, Kenyan (and even African) political leaders are not famous for their ability to exercise honesty and do the noble thing; admitting that one is wrong and stepping aside for investigations to take place.

So as Mr. Odipo pointed out, our Cabinet ministers will continue to break the law with outright impunity, because they just don’t care about the ramifications.

For all the Kenyans and politicians baying for Kimunya’s blood, spare a thought for this evaluation: If Samuel Kivuitu, he of the infamous ECK, failed to tender his resignation, even after presiding over botched elections, why is it that we believe that Kimunya will resign?

Seriously, the man even dared to retort on national TV that he would “burn with the country”, if that was deemed fit by the electorate! We all know that never happened. The man and his band of commissioners, is still drawing his hefty salary package every end month. No signs of burning with the country there…

Well, I will simply lean back and watch how this drama will unfold. But pray, do forgive me my fellow citizens if I don’t bet my two cents that Kimunya will do the honourable thing. Well…at least not unless he’s dragged out of office by a dozen horses and a carriage.

Tax Them!

I’m at a loss – someone help me out here…

I don’t know which is more pathetic; the whines of an eight year old, whose got a piece of meat stuck in his molar, or the whines of grown up men and women, who are grumbling about the possibility of their larger than life allowances being taxed.

God knows this country’s taxpayers are already bent double at the waist with the weight of MPs salaries. Earning over 200,000 shillings per month(this is the only bit that’s taxed) and scooping enormous allowances that sum up to a total earning of about 850,000 shillings…this is really the height of irony, in a country that’s reeling from post-election violence effects, spiralling inflation rates and soaring food prices.

Kenya’s MPs earn more than their British counterparts and are among the most highly paid legislators in the continent. So when Finance Minister, Amos Kimunya decided to propose a tax cut of the MPs huge allowances, the expected happened – grumbling, whining and outright rage. How dare the Finance Minister consider such a despicable idea? The nerve! Oh, the shame of being taxed! MPs are not happy. Well, at least the majority of them aren’t.

I honestly used to believe that anyone with a conscience would never be able to sleep comfortably, knowing full well the problems plaguing his neighbours and also knowing that he could do something about it. But as far as our MPs are concerned; I gave up on them a long time ago. Because while their constituents continue to endure the daily grind that is life, the MPs continue to live the high life. They build palatial homes, cruise in fuel guzzlers, eat the choicest meat and generally live on the lap of luxury. All in the full glare of their constituents’ bleary eyes.

So forgive us, oh worthy “honourable members of parliament” if we side with Mr. Kimunya on this one. Because he seems to be listening to our pleas, rather than “playing the public gallery” as Peter Kenneth suggests. Okay, even if he is(I don’t really care), at least he has the guts to propose the “unthinkable” for the second time. I just hope that this time, his noble motion wont be scuttled out of the August House. We all know they will anyway. I’m just trying my hand at some optimism.

But I seriously think its well overdue, this whole idea. These people need to know that if it wasn’t for us (and an inept electoral commission), they wouldn’t be feeling on top of the world. Those pedestals on which they perch can easily come down.

So while the likes of Bonny Khalwale (Ikolomani MP) argue that those calling for tax have already benefited from financial scandals, Kenyans continue to shake their heads in disbelief. I mean, who gives two hoots whether some MPs have enriched themselves from shady deals or not! After all, birds of a feather flock together; and these birds all seem alike to me. So big deal! All we want to see is some action – let these people be taxed! That’s one way of showing Kenyans that they seriously care about our suffering. And that they too have consciences.

We are behind you 100% Mr. Kimunya. Don’t let your colleagues talk you out of this one or else you will have failed the populace mightily.

On that note:

Will these retail chains and kiosks quit messing around? I’m still waiting for the price of a loaf of bread to go down by 5 shillings, at least. Hello??? Kimunya zero rated tax on basic commodities like bread and rice, and reduced tax on wheat. So that really translates to something like this – BREAD IS BACK ON THE BREAKFAST TABLE! (At least it should be…)

Who will save Zimbabwe from Mugabe?

I think it reaches a point in time when every man – however resilient and hardy – puts down his tools of trade and calls it a day. Well, all save for one Comrade Bob.

I am at my wits end on this one – seriously, how long will it take before someone saves Zimbabwe from this scourge that represents itself as the President? How long will it take before Zimbabweans are relieved of this unbearable yoke?

Not only has Mugabe decided that he will not accept defeat; he has also threatened to declare war if the unthinkable happens – if Morgan Tsvangirai wins the run off elections. And he will even seek the support of former war veterans to ensure that absolute power remains his forever. Okay, call me a ranting, raving b**** but frankly speaking, this guy is totally deranged, mad, out of touch with reality and good for nothing!

I cant believe that Africa just watches and goes on with business as usual, while our brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe are suffering the height of autocracy and totalitarianism.This man; a man who was once the darling of Kwame Nkrumah’s Pan africanism dream, has steadily brought this erstwhile bread basket of Africa to its knees. And he doesn’t seem to be quitting either. He has destroyed a once vibrant economy, gagged the Fourth estate, frustrated democratic efforts by the Opposition and lobby groups and basically reduced the country to a shell of hopelessness and disillusionment.

And Thabo Mbeki hasn’t succeeded much in talking down Mugabe’s draconian ventures. Im still wondering what exactly Thabo is thinking...I mean, how hard is it for him to just tell Bob to get his act together?

What the world needs to know, and Africa as well, is that Mugabe’s reign of terror is not only affecting Zimbabweans, but the entire continent as a whole. Why? Because this is a scar on the conscience of the continent and it will never heal entirely, unless we all do something about it.

Okay, I know you're probably wondering what I expect people to do about a psychotic octogenarian who'se refused to release his clutches on power. Fine, petitions have been signed and protests staged. Leaders have joined hands to call for democracy in this country. But is it enough?

Zimbabweans are being coerced to vote for Mugabe, or die. Yes, due to the dwindling food supply in the country, the only people who will get their rations from the government are those who hold a ZANU PF party card. Unbelievable!

Something needs to be done; in this day and age, there is hardly room left for such dictatorial systems to prevail. I mean, come on! Even Nepal's monarchy is crumbling! This unbelievable cloak of sovereignty that Mugabe uses as a shield to "protect" Zimbabwe from “outside interference” shouldn’t stand. When will the International community stand up once and for all and demand Comrade Bob’s resignation? By hook or by crook?

He cannot rule forever. And neither can he rule a people who have lost hope and faith in him. He should read the writing on the wall: his time is up. Go home Bob!