By Kirong Shadrack
Truth and justice supplement each other. And when the path to attainment of both is comprised or in question, then nothing can suffice or assuage the contempt and the burning outrage held by the justice-seekers. It goes without saying then, that truth without justice is like an active volcano, whose eruption is based on speculations and possibilities. What is truth without justice?
Recently there has been unabated talk on both media houses and social networks, over an expose by Mohammed Ali and John-Allan Namu on KTN over the ill-fated Euro copter that led to the demise of, among others, the late former Internal Security Minister Prof. George Saitoti, his Assistant, Mr. Orwa Ojode.
If there is a journalist who has passed the test of investigative journalism and deserves credit in this country, it would have to be Mr. Ali. I would concur with Robert Greene, the author of the 48 laws of power, truth is ugly and people want to hear the truth. Despite all the mountains of despair, threats, intimidation, frustration and fear of the unknown, these two brave Kenyans have again got the tongues of many wagging and talking in whispers in search of nothing less than the truth!
I wouldn’t like to poke my nose so much into his work. Moreover everyone is entitled to an interpretation and an opinion especially over his second expose aired exclusively on KTN yesterday. In my opinion, it was like a suspended horror movie. While we all acknowledge his vigour, boldness and aggressiveness, it is also imperative to note that, as he engages the millions of viewers across this country and all over the world, he should also consider concluding his work; an ingredient that has been conspicuously absent in both his exposes.
During his expose, “The Untouchables”, tells the story of high-ranking police officer ,Mr Chemorek, who was robbed of his life by death over his alleged involvement in a drug saga. It clearly depicts how the system can sometimes be compromised. The course of events, coupled by damning evidence and mastery in the delivery of happenings, left no doubt that justice could be expeditiously realized at the end, especially to the late Chemorek’s family. However since then, nobody is in the know of what transpired after that expose.
“The Plain Crash”, a sequel to “The Untouchables”, also left us with questions. If indeed there exists dark forces behind the scenes, who are they? A commission was set up to probe the matter. Was its findings compromised? Who is telling the truth? We hope there were no cases of coached witnesses as it has become a common practice nowadays.
While we are still contemplating the intriguing incident, it is of national concern that, in this era when most governments are upgrading their security, technology and other equipment, our government is still going for cheap things. I am not an amicus curiae in acquisition of government artillery or equipment like choppers, but you don’t need a rocket scientist to tell you that Euro copters are cheaper than super copters.
I don’t see any tangible reason why our Government or whoever has the prerogative to acquire these equipment would make such slapdash decisions of importing Euro copters from South Africa, yet billions in budgetary allocation goes to them every fiscal year. Talk of maintaining bilateral relationships with benefits. And as they say cheap is expensive. It’s even becomes a big joke that even the most powerful person in this country, the president, can ride on such planes.
When all said and done, justice must be served. Bending the law to favour the few lost taste long ago in our Kenyan courts, thanks to the reformed judiciary. I therefore see no reason as to why we should be treated to two hours of a suspended horror movie whose course of events the author seems not to be sure about. Don’t we have the courts?
It has been our tradition as Kenyans to forget things fast, especially issues that border on national interests. This is a disease that is quickly finding its roots in our media houses. So while this is still fresh in our minds, I would wish that Mohammed Ali and John-Allan Namu could quickly finish what they intended to do. A half-truth, like I said, is like an active volcano; you cannot always leave us to conclude. This is Kenya and we will not be liable to anybody for any preconceived conclusions, unscientific theories, gossip and more half-baked truths for what you started.
