Corruption and Decay!

Article in FT Magazine 20/1/07 by Michela Wrong

John Githongo is reported to have discovered too much corruption in Kenya.

His responsibility in the administration of president Kibaki was to ensure that the alleged abuses and corruption under Moi, the previous president, were investigated and that the new government did not slide down the same path. I do not know enough to take a view about this and, given the position our own dear leader finds himself in, perhaps discretion is the way forward until Gordie starts turning up the promissory notes and aide memoire stuffed down the back of the sofas in No. 10. My delight in the piece was the story below.

Mr Githongo is now reported to be living modestly in lodgings in Oxford associated with a college as a result of leaving Kenya for the benefit of his health. When he arrived in 2005 it was suggested he was in need of support. John is a big man, as evidenced from his photo, and not likely to be intimidated but we all know what the bad boys are like. He was welcomed to the collegiate bosom and supported by the college porters who, he suggests, provided a ring of steel about his person.

The article goes on …

“Soon after arriving the head porter called to say a package had arrived.”

When asked if it was ticking he replied that:-

“I will immediately dispatch my most dispensable porter to give it a firm kick and find out sir.”

The porters, burly lads, possibly retired from the Oxford constabulary, had a degree of professionalism, dignity and respect for life which we take for granted. We should resolve to give the next can of worms we find a firm kick and find out what happens! Who knows who might support us?