Governor Kingi’s critics must tamper criticism with moderation

Despite all the criticisms, the Kilifi County Governor, His Excellency Jefferson Amason Kingi has played a great part in the development of Kilifi County.

The governor is nearing the end of his first tenure in the office, subject to the general election. The governor is electable based on his effort to initiate development projects in the county and fighting corruption, which he is doing. Case in point is when he turned into a whistleblower on Ksh 51M loss.

Our opinions as people are different as our fingerprints. Today, some people in Kilifi County and the country at large have taken the moral high ground to denounce and demonize the governor based on corruption and other graft allegations.

Moreover, a keen eye needs to check weigh and evaluate the true picture of the said corruption. People talk, say everything about corruption in Kilifi county but when called upon to substantiate by providing evidence they don’t want to come forward, they would rather be on the periphery or behind the scenes.

The election will be held on August 8, 2017, and those angling for the gubernatorial position may either have their time in office or not. However assuming that they are elected, how much are they capable of accomplishing in terms of dealing with the corruption which has become a national tragedy.

My take is that the same people who right now are holier than though may not accomplish much as they want the world to believe. Right now, we make haste to point fingers at Governor Kingi, question certain actions and make him the scapegoat for all that is going wrong in Kilifi County including drought.

Apparently, if you look at every leader’s record of accomplishment you will find that there is an element of corruption in either implementing development projects in procurement tenders or every scheme. This either touches them directly or people close to them.

We cannot afford to shout about Kingi’s weakness but fail in this respect, to enumerate his achievements as the governor of Kilifi County.

Why did corruption allegation evolve now and not sometimes back? Why has it come all of a sudden when elections are around the corner? Mr. Kingi has shown energy compassion and charisma whenever necessary to his people in Kilifi.

What is our role, as critics in the corruption in the county? Is it a case of sour-grape? Leaders looking for positions in an election should not use imagined corruption as an excuse to oust the incumbent. Campaign on a platform of facts integrity reform agenda and development. Corruption has consumed even the critics; hence, they also lack the moral authority to speak about it.

Demonize the governor, with facts, produce evidence in a court of law but not seek populism inherent with leaders in Kenya during electioneering period.