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| Caged like an animal: Why Mubarak trial is shock-treatment for sick Africa |
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 The image of Hosni Mubarak facing charges behind bars, in a real metal cage, is riveting. Who could imagine that just a few months ago this man was striding over Egypt like the historical Pharaohs, grooming his son to take over from him, with no regard for the wishes of the people? The majority in Egypt are thrilled by this, cheering on, even as they realize that their revolution is still unfinished and that the generals running the show now would prefer business as usual, but without Mubarak or his son Gamal in the picture. For this majority, this episode highlights that no matter how high one gets, no matter how powerful one becomes, no matter the adulation and poetry, at the end of the day, one must be held accountable for their actions and omissions. On the other side are the Mubarak partisans, shocked and angered that their patron can be brought to this level, preferring to remember Mubarak for the good things he may have done, and the patronage he dispensed to some of them. And on this side are most African leaders — past and present — who think, “There but for the grace of God (and my security forces) go I.” This episode should make us reflect on the status of leadership in Kenya and the question of accountability. Some, like former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo (who would face serious questions in a fair society on corruption and human rights abuses), think that accountability is uncalled for and may make other leaders hang on… as he himself tried unsuccessfully. But the truth is that any leader who commits crimes and abuses is loath to leave office, knowing that they could be held to account. So the best and easiest way to avoid this is to not commit crimes and abuses! But why is it that almost 10 years since he left office, no state institution has bothered or been able to even question former president Moi on issues of killings by state security, torture, corruption and theft? These were crimes under Kenyan law and international law during his tenure, and with Moi assuming the substantive roles of Minister in charge of Police and Defense after the 1982 coup attempt, he was formally responsible directly. I am not saying that Moi is guilty. But I am saying that he should be held to account especially as courts rule that there was torture in Nyayo House in the mid and late 1980s, awarding damages to those tortured. That the massive rot of corruption, tribalism and cronyism during his tenure should not be left untouched. That the victims and survivors of the horrible Wagalla massacre of 1984 must be vindicated. That the state-sponsored violence in the Rift Valley after 1991 should be criminally investigated. And I am saying that no matter the good Moi may have done for Kenya — and the expansion of schools and universities must be mentioned — he was also in charge when these serious crimes were committed. And I would go further back and hold Jomo Kenyatta accountable were he alive, for the culture of assassinations, massacres and corruption that he bequeathed Kenya. We thought that with Narc taking over, some form of accounting for the past would be made. Not necessarily to send Moi to jail (though I know a lot of people who would love for this to happen) but as a lesson to leaders that their job is not to kill, loot and rape; and that some things are so wrong that no amount of good can undo them. But that idea was quickly cast off and we later understood why: Kibaki, without announcing it as Moi had in 1978, was following “Nyayo.” And the same corruption template used by Moi — with most of the same people doing the technical bits — was back with Anglo-Leasing! And the phantom of the fishing boat-cum-naval warship quickly followed. And more. More extrajudicial executions have been committed by this regime than any other since independence, mostly in Mt Elgon, Nairobi and central Kenya, and this not counting the toll from the election crisis. This, at the same time of free primary education, a rising growth rate, support for the new Constitution and road construction under Kibaki’s watch. But these positives may end up meaning nothing if no one is held to account for the corruption and killings that have occurred in the last nine years. And, for Kibaki, this is the best time to push for this accountability for who knows who takes over after him? (Source: nation.co.ke)   Socialize this Subscribe to our RSS feed to stay in touch and receive all of TT updates right in your feed reader
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