Making Mbithi the fall guy over Garissa

If Police Air Wing Commandant Rogers Mbithi had a conscience, he would never report to work again.

If he were to hear the cries that came out of the Garissa University College hostels as terrorists massacred our children, like any parent would, he would also cry, show remorse and just fade into retirement where he would spend time trying to make peace with himself and his God.

Why? Because it happened that when the only working chopper the Air Wing has was needed to dispatch GSU's Recce Unit to confront the terrorists, the old man of mufti cloth had dispatched it to Mombasa reportedly on instrument reading training for some pilots.

Although initially there was denial from his end that there were civilians in the aircraft, he finally conceded that although it hadn't been dispatched to pick his daughter-in-law, her child and a friend, they were indeed aboard the return flight.

He has told his seniors, I am informed, that since the chopper was coming back to Nairobi anyway, and his relatives were also coming to the city, there would be no harm in Mzee giving them a 'lift'.

Well, Mr Mbithi has shamelessly claimed, which is terrible for a man of his age in the disciplined forces, that the excursion to Mombasa did not delay the Recce Squad's trip!

He argued that on landing, the chopper had to wait for an hour for the unit to arrive at the airport for the flight to Garissa. I don't know what this mzee thinks Kenyans smoke.

It is common sense that the unit would not have been dispatched to the airport until it was clear the aircraft was available, is it not? Or could he have wanted to have the unit wait on the hot tarmac and watch his daughter-in-law disembark before they boarded?

Would they have had the spirit to then go and confront the Al-Shabaab terrorists whose hands were by then dripping with blood?

It seems Mr Mbithi can say what he wants and take in as many insults as possible, it apparently doesn't matter because his children and grandchildren were safe somewhere in the leafy suburbs of Nairobi.

But give it to the man, he survived the storm set off by the death in the air of his former boss, George Saitoti, late Assistant Minister Joshua Ojode and four police officers and pilots.

If you remember it, the issue then was about an unauthorised and unrecorded flight Mr Mbithi made, and curious and questionable decisions like recalling a mother-pilot who was off duty to take the VIPs to Nyanza instead of doing it himself.

There were then, as there are today, a thousand and one questions about repair and procurement of parts and even maintenance of the chopper.

"There is nothing to hide. It came back with her (his daughter-in-law) and two children. I took full responsibility and explained," Mr Mbithi said once the secret passenger list came out.

Three things come out clearly over the chopper that went 'missing' as the killings continued. The first is that this probably is how the Air Wing is run and April 2 was just the fortieth day.

I may be wrong, but this guy may have concluded that since the big chaps in the force have big cars, escort crews, bodyguards and subordinate staff all from Kiganjo, he could also benefit from 'wings' placed in his custody.

Secondly, the reason why his seniors have not acted fast, I guess, is probably because many of them have been beneficiaries of the generosity of the Air Wing when they have quick errands to run.

More importantly, our politicians too, are often extended the services and may not be willing to crush the guy using the sole of their shoe.

Thirdly, if you have been following the vetting of top police officers, you know that if one were destined to be a doctor and chose to go to Kiganjo instead, then that was indeed a smart career move.

Why? Because the cash deposits in their accounts rival the cash flow of top supermarket chains in the heart of Nairobi.

There is something seriously wrong with the police command and no wonder the juniors pick even the Sh40 coin with Kibaki's head on it as a bribe.

Now let us wait to see how long Mr Mbithi will be allowed to enjoy the dignity of senior police uniforms, epaulettes and swagger stick - as the parents and siblings of those killed in Garissa stare at the withering flowers placed on the graves.

But even as you do so, remember that he argues the plane was back by the time he was asked to dispatch the Recce Unit.

Finally, a personal message to Mr Mbithi. Resignation isn't always an admission of guilt. On the contrary, it should be seen as a courageous measure to protect the image, credibility and dignity of your office.