As expected, the two MPs have since come out to try and save face and explain their actions. First, it should be noted that both of them are not remorseful for their actions with Mr, Keter saying that it was actually "Necessary" for them to do what they did.
The explanation given by the Member of Parliament was that he was actually complaining about corruption at the weigh bridge. While corruption is a scourge that is plaguing Kenyans, I would like us to look at this incident objectively. Regardless of the side of the political divide we support.
I am going to poke holes at the explanation given by the MPs and I am open to disagreements and correction, as long as it is objective and not sycophancy.
1. What I consider the most glaring hole in Keter's defence. He never mentioned or complained about a bribe that the officers allegedly asked for. Logic suggests that if you are complaining about something, you mention clearly what you are complaining about. What we see is a man wanting to have his truck released by all means necessary. He has not accused the officers of bribery, he has not threatened them with action for bribery, instead, he has threatened to have the contract rescinded, just because the truck was not released.
2. If you are truly fighting corruption, why go there at night with no officials from the Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission? Why go there to shout and insult officers? If you are going to complain about corruption, there are systems that have been made and procedures to be followed. Even if you are going by yourself, at least have some complainants and I do not think insulting police officers is fighting corruption.
3. On NTV news this evening, Madam Sonia was asked who the truck belonged to and she said that the truck belonged to people who she represents, business associates. Therefore, they were not there to fight for 'wananchi' but rather for their own personal interests. When the driver was interviewed, he said that after the truck was detained, he called his bosses to tell them. Here is what usually happens in normal scenarios if people do know someone high up in the government. You call that person, who calls someone else, who calls the officials at Gilgil (or wherever else) and the truck is released. In this case, this did not work. Mr. Keter was clearly angry about the calls not being picked, something that made him go to Gilgil personally in the dead of the night to have the truck released. When his mere presence did not work, he went on a rant. Personally, I think it is an ego thing. When you do something then you realize you are not as big as you thought you are or as important as you thought you are. I believe the MP thought that once the officers see him there, they'd wag their tails happily to "mkubwa's" tune, go on one knee apologetically and release the vehicle before aptly listen to the words of wisdom brought to them by "Waheshimiwa." Unfortunately this did not work and that is why he went on a show of might, Threatening to revert the contract, that the officers would lose their office in the morning, cussing, saying that "We make the law, and we can break it whenever we want." call it what you may but that right there is, Abuse of Office 101. There is nothing about fighting corruption there, Why didnt he ask for the release of other trucks wrongfully detained then?
4. If it is indeed fighting for corruption, why would the state house and other public officials distance themselves from the entire thing? I have not seen any one politician or cabinet secretary come out to support them....not even Sonko! You can correct me when I am mistaken. Instead, it is us Kenyans who have believed him. Drinking every word that we are being told.
5. Finally, why would anyone in their right mind ask for a bribe then proceed to film a video about it? We all know how it works. Normally, it is the victim who films video as proof of being harassed or victimized. Am I not wrong? You dont shoot yourself in the foot by asking for a bribe then going on to film it. If the member of parliament was indeed unhappy about the bribe, the police officers would have been apologetic! That I am quite sure of. Instead, they didnt seem apologetic. In fact you can hear the police officer saying that he has everything on video. From the time he was harassed along the highway to the office and that he would brief his colleague later. That doesnt sound like someone who had asked for a bribe.
I havent exhausted every possible loophole in that justification. It is a sham. I am just concerned by the amount of blind following and sycophancy that I have seen. It is especially more concerning when it is from people of my generation. All I am saying is, we should be objective as Kenyans. Especially people of my generation. The young adults. We are the people who are supposed to think beyond our party lines. If we see something wrong, we speak out against it. Let us not be misled. Colossians 2:4 says, "I tell you this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument." That is pretty much my argument. Keter's side of the story just does not add up. Sure, he may have had the right motive, just maybe but the way he went about everything makes it doubtful. The story just doesnt add up and I just want my peers to be able to be objective and think. Sure, corruption is there and we need to fight it, we are fighting it bit by bit but let us not be fooled. Alfred Keter was not there to fight for "Mwananchi" he was the "mkubwa" called to have a truck of a business associate released in a process that went horribly wrong.....for him. So let us not start saying that he is the victim here.....coz he's not.
