Uasin Gishu County Leads in Bribery
'If you live in Uasin Gishu, you are more likely to be asked for a bribe than anyone living elsewhere in Kenya!'
ON THURSDAY THE 'NATION' added a word from the County's chief officer -
YES, we lead in graft - says Governor!
'.....reacting by telephone, the Governor said
residents of the County, particularly those in Eldoret Town,
easily gave out bribes. Mr. Mandago said the Private Sector in the Region was leading in the vice.'
(nothing like honesty)
(nothing like honesty)
BUT this is not NEW! It does not surprise us, since it is a 'vice' that seems to have been around a long time - certainly as long as I have lived in this Town, and that is going back 42 years!! And I feel sure that as, a practice, it has been common throughout the Nation generally. Neither can we limit it to Kenya, or Africa, but must confess Bribery to have been knocking around the entire world, almost since mankind fell from his intended high estate.
WHAT IS BRIBERY? What motivates it? A BRIBE is something offered, or given, to another in order to persuade or induce them to do what you want. Those giving or accepting a bribe are serving their own interest in front of all others. It is a demonstration of 'Selfishness' and self interest. We were not created or designed to serve ourselves, however, but God and one another. Thus the 1st and 2nd Great Commandments are summed up - 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength - AND your neighbour as yourself. Mark 12v31.
With MONEY a man may persuade another to provide employment, secure a favour, or even commit a murder!! These days one can even offer ones body for sex in order to procure good grades in School or even a Degree in University! What cannot be obtained for love or money? But can it be condoned or admired as right or just? Can it finally bring a blessing into my life or the society around me. We are told here that so many students are in university, not because of their academic merit, but because of 'paying a bribe'. In the end we will have a whole crop of ''unqualified" people hiding behind their bought Certificates and Degrees, and a society of blind academics leading the blind. Not a very promising or hopeful prospect.
In Ecclesiastes 7v7 Solomon says 'A gift destroyeth the mind'. The 'gift' un-makes the mind, brings it into indecision and thereby changes what before was established. Bribery undermines previous firm decision and determination; alters the expected and promised order of things. It re-directs the course of justice.
I must say, personally, that prior to arriving in Kenya I had never come across 'bribery' in any practical or lively sense. I had not been presented with any need to consider bribery as a means of obtaining what I desired, nor did any try to bribe me in assisting them to attain their own wants.
In Kenya I have never been offered, or thought of offering, a bribe. The pace of life I found to be slower than in England, but although frustrating at times I never felt a need to hurry it up. And being a person of very small material means myself, none seemed attracted to squeeze or milk me of my supposed riches through demanding a bribe for any service given.
BUT that is not to say that Christians DO NOT bribe. Probably those of other Religious persuasion also!
On remarking about it on occasion I have been always told that 'there ARE times when the wheels of commerce and social action need greasing - and that God expects us to use our opportunities to save time and expedite the progress of the Kingdom!
I find this hard to argue either from Scripture or from the pricks of my conscience.
Daniel's prayers carried by the Angel to God were hindered and inordinately delayed by one of Satans, gang, yet there is no suggestion that Gabriel did anything to 'hurry things up'. Thus I have never been able to push my way into a queue in order to reach the counter quicker, shoving others out of the way.......
The mind of God is clear as it stands in the Old Testament in Deuteronomy 16v19 -
'Thou shalt not wrest judgement;
thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift:
for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise
and perverts the words of righteousness..
For I know your manifold transgressions, and your mighty sins:
they afflict the just, they take a bribe, and they turn aside the poor at the gate
for a pair of shoes
Amos 5v12
COME TO ELDORET, and expect to come across bribery? NO, Esther and I have been here 42 years as I mentioned before, and never have we been approached by or encouraged into it. Indeed you do not need to come to ELDORET - Bribery can be found just where you live......if you look for it.
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This is a view of Eldoret on the main trunk road looking towards Uganda. Most of the shopping centre is on the left hand side, but a good part of the town extends to the right also.
This is a view from one of the roads to the left of the first picture above, on a wet day. We are having many of them right now. The streets are usually more crowded than seen in this photo, and the traffic heavier and denser. Inserting both photos just to give those who have never been here a small glimpse into out Town of now more than one million people. This is our town. Very noisy, crowded and corrupt!!
YESTERDAY our High School feted its Graduating Class and Esther and I were invited to lunch with them all. A very good occasion. Now everyone has left and the Long Holiday has begun - and it is STILL raining!! So far it has not seemed to dampen anyone's spirits though, and there is a very happy air of general gaiety and good spirits everywhere amongst us all. Yesterday we also received a large Donation of foodstuffs from a Muslim School in Town; enough to take care of our grocery needs for almost a week! And it was very well timed as we were waiting on the Lord to supply our need for the week ahead. IS life hand to mouth? YES, it often IS, since the Lord more and more seems to keep us living day to day. He has always provided in one way or another, such as with this unexpected donation from right here in town, but He makes sure we do not forget where our real Hope is centred. We Praise His Name.
Two old friends working with COVENANT PLAYERS were with us over last weekend until Tuesday morning. Really had a great time with them. They were last here with us in the late 80s early 90s.
JOE MEDLEY and DAVID GROVES.
Later this month we hope to have one of our old boys - David Koech who is presently residing in the States, but also busy building himself a house not far away from us. And THEN we are expecting one of our Australian family from Tyndale School - Tammy - to be arriving early December for Christmas. Wonderful to have So many drop in on us - why not try it?
Continue to uphold us with your prayers. We need them every day. God Bless and be with you through the coming week. He will never let go of you! Never, never, NEVER!
Lovingly in His Name
John land Esther
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