REPLACING RINGERA:LET EVERYONE GET A FAIR CHANCE

I have been following the discussions about the supposed Ringera’s replacements with keen interest. A number of people have proposed and others commented about some names that were proposed. One such name that has prominently featured in this forum and others is that of former chairman of the Kenya national commission on human rights chief Maina Kiai.i have never met Maina Kiai myself but those I have interacted with have attested that he is one of a few people in Kenya that can be trusted to hold public office. I also had a privilege to watch know his dedication in fighting for human rights through news items and writings from those who have worked with Maina Kiai to attest to the fact that Maina Kiai worked hard while at KNCHR in the interest of ordinary Kenyans especially those who could not access justice.Maina Kiai amid threats, loudly and without fear talked for such people. it goes without saying that his absence and that of Kamanda Mucheke’s is highly missed at the KNCHR.I have personally interacted with neither but I have heard from many people who have expressed this sentiment, especially in relation to the slow pace at which supposed urgent issues are addressed these days a the KNCHR since Maina Kiai left. It’s true that since he left, the performance of KNCHR on the matters of human rights is highly wanting and maybe only one or two commissioners are working in the interest of the ordinary Kenyan citizen. However I would like to humbly disagree with those who are using Maina Kiai’s fantastic performance at the Kenya national commission on human rights as bedrock for his qualification to be the director of the Kenya anti-corruption commission. This automatically beats the logic of providing equal opportunity for every Kenyan. The line of argument is so weak that it denies chance to those Kenyans who have the will and ability to serve Kenyans competently but they have never had an opportunity to prove how good they can be. Am quite sure that our selfish nature allows us to in a biased manner shortlist people on the basis of what they have done before, downplaying the fact that we need to leave the opportunity open for others too who have never had a chance despite their will and ability to perform in the best way. I therefore request us to avoid such kind of discussions which might end up prejudicing the fair process of arriving at the most suitable person to fight corruption or be appointed to any other office. I don’t doubt Maina Kiai’s ability but we must also know that there are so many Kenyans who are denied chance, not because they are incompetent but because of one or two reasons sometimes fair and sometimes totally unfair reasons that makes a playground not level for everyone. This is the same case with John Githongo’s fight against corruption; he had an opportunity to blow a whistle because he was lucky to have been appointed permanent secretary in charge of governance and ethics because of the original close association with the president. There could be other greater and more trusted people out there who would have wished to fight corruption but they never had an opportunity to be appointed in such strategic positions like serving as permanent secretary in charge of ethics. So, am sure that if we are fair enough, lets give everyone equal opportunity and room to emerge and prove his/her competence whether in public service, civil society, political leadership or in serving in any position. Lest we are no different from the government which plays musical chairs and gives jobs based on advertisements which are skewed to fit descriptions of certain individuals. FWAMBA NC FWAMBA PO BOX 41046, NAIROBI, +254721779445 http://kenyayoungvotersalliance.blogspot.com