They say “you do the crime, you do the time.” That wasn’t always true here in Kenya. For decades, the criminal justice system had a cavalier attitude to holding criminals responsible for their actions. That is because historically, a lot of crime was taking place at the governmental level. Many criminals were not held accountable because they had power. But in a real democracy, power is in the hands of the people.

At the moment, media and news reports are making a whole lot of news about a few insignificant trends. There is too much focus on 2022 politics while not enough light is being shed on the important progress being made.

Chief among them is the anti-corruption campaign, for crime and corruption are the country’s worst affliction. We certainly are no Scandinavia yet, but the gains against corruption in the past few years are significant. Director of Public Prosecution Noordin Haji’s crackdown will ensure Kenyans can no longer get away with elaborate criminal plans.

And yet, people are still organising theft circles. Recently, the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) lost an unknown amount of fuel from a plant in Mavoko, Machakos County. Authorities predict that the amount of fuel is valued at tens of millions of shillings. The hooligans carried out an elaborate scheme to siphon fuel from the main pressurised pipeline.

After digging a 20-metre long, one-metre wide tunnel through granite rock, these organised criminals punctured the pipeline then inserted a valve to flow the fuel to their own tankers. Then they then drove away. 

They should know by now that in Kenya today, crime does not pay. The one who commits it ends up paying. That’s because rather than tolerating crime, citizens are now willing to work with the authorities to report suspicious behaviour. The relationship between citizens and crime fighting authorities is certainly fragile. But their trust is finally being earned, because President Uhuru Kenyatta has made sure everybody must be accountable. 

The racket would not have been caught without the help of a tip off to Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers, who worked with engineers from KPC to arrest two suspects in Mlolongo. 

The elaborate scheme was evidently an inside job, as the scene of crime showed complex planning and obvious technical knowledge. The tunnel was even illuminated by lightbulbs so that the criminals could navigate in the darkness. KPC has also recently reported fuel losses due to spillage, which makes me question just how large this network of criminals is.

Wasteful episodes

In September of 2018, KPC found that over 170,000 litres of petrol in its Kisumu plant were mixed with water. All of it went to waste, since it would cause significant damage to motor vehicles if a petrol-water mix was inserted into the tank. Apart from the obvious environmental damage that wasteful episodes like this cause, it demonstrates that people still think that crime is an adequate and easy way to make a living. But this is no longer the case. The economy for job creation is stronger than ever, as recently noted by State House spokesperson Kanze Dena. All those familiar with the innumerable development programmes associated with the Big Four Agenda know that a key priority is diversifying employment sectors.

It is exciting to be part of a country aiming to reach the status of middle income country by 2030, because it means that professional choices are expanding at a pace that’s almost too rapid to keep up with. The youth today can allow themselves to dream big, because with the new opportunities, really anything can happen.

Corruption does not slip under the rug like in the days of old. The media is starting to take notice and putting it on blast. Let all those who consider turning to crime as their primary means of livelihood know that it is not a sustainable path. They might make some quick money, but they will end up paying it back. 

Thou shalt not steal is one of the most basic, well-known commandments.

-The writer is Igembe North MP