LAUGH OR CRY? HOW CORRUPTION WORKS

In this skit, Kenyan content creator @crazy_kennar uses humour to highlight a serious issue affecting his country: rampant corruption.

It’s plagued the country ever since independence. Embezzlement of public funds, procurement fraud, bribery and misuse of office have, again and again, hindered the development of the country.

Free Kenya’s first president (from 1964-1978) Jomo Kenyatta got the ball rolling - allegedly securing one sixth of European-settler land for himself and his family at knock down prices according to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report . This land had been set aside for settling Africans who had none of their own or who had suffered at the hands of colonizers. His close political allies and his successor, Daniel Arap Moi, also benefitted from this kind of land grabbing.

Under Moi (1978-2002), there was the infamous Goldenberg scandal - a fraud involving gold exports that cost the country a whopping $600 million.

Under the watch of President Mwai Kibaki’s administration (2003-2013) occurred the Anglo-Leasing scandal, where government contracts for a new passport-printing system were awarded to phantom companies. Millions went missing.

The corruption scandals kept coming when it was Uhuru Kenyatta’s turn to lead (2013-2022): over $7 million (some claim $17 million) earmarked for youth-empowerment projects were embezzled; a Eurobond worth $2 billion went largely unaccounted for - with allegations the lion’s share was funnelled into private accounts; much of the money for the construction of two dams was misappropriated - with high-ranking government officials implicated; and there was the so-called ‘Covid millionaires’ scandal, which saw funds meant for the procurement of PPE find its way into government officials’ pockets.

And today William Ruto looks like he is doing his best to keep the tradition alive. His ‘hustler fund’ was meant to provide financial support to small businesses in Kenya but became mired in allegations of irregularities relating to pay-outs. And Ruto’s love of lavish clothes as put him under the spotlight. Since coming to office he has been spotted wearing a belt that costs more than average Kenyans make in a year and a watch which cost more than 45,000 usd which is more than most Kenyans make in a two decades according to statista. Not to mention the lavish state travel amid a cost-of-living crisis has been slammed as a selfish waste of government cash.

With such an atrocious track record, sometimes it’s better to laugh than to cry. Let us and @crazy_kennar know if you like the skit.

Video credit: @crazy_kennar