Who is fooling who...

Let’s talk about two things. Teachers’ strike, and about that expose NTV aired last night trending under the hash tag #ServeAndSuffer. 

Of teachers strike.

A friend of mine is convinced that teachers should not get a penny more on their pay slips because apparently, they have not shown the cause for such increase. While this argument is premised on good faith and sounds ethical, it is fallacious in form and substance. No one would want the current impasse to last a day longer but truth be told, there’s no better time to demand for what is rightfully theirs than today.  The government needs to sit back and cut excess pilferage and wastage of resources because that’s what they are mandated for.  Tie the noose on those plundering the economy under your noses.

It is embarrassing to look at what those noble professionals make in a month vis a vis our most hardworking legislators and commissioners in public offices who are very quick to convince the masses how ‘broke’ the government is and how we have to finance mega development projects-as a matter of priority- if only to transform our loving nation into a newly industrializing, middle-income country providing a high quality life to all its citizens. Have you checked how ‘under paid’ the Salaries and Remuneration Commissioners are? Care to know how much they bag per month? What about the perks that go with the job. There are barely surviving because the love they have for this country cannot be fathomed.  How can teachers ask to be paid while our County budgets can only afford carcinogenic wheelbarrows?  The normal wheel barrows don’t cut it anymore. Where can we get all that money to buy ordinary wheelbarrows? We must be a considerate nation that does not ask for money at a time when Facebook accounts for our beloved governors have to be ‘opened’ right from Silicon Valley.

Problem is that we have a bunch of leaders who are not in touch with reality. The purchasing power of money is ever dynamic. You do not need to have stepped in any economics class to know that there will always be persistent increase in general price levels and the subsequent fall in the purchasing power of money. Even the most stable nations in the world have to deal with inflation at some level which is almost impossible to eliminate. Now, back to teachers. If say a P1 teacher used to earn X amount of money as her gross income a decade ago, it implies therefore that now she should be earning X+n, where n is the relative component of inflation added to cushion the subject. That increase does not in any way constitute to a pay increase.

Teachers, don’t buy that tired line that “there is no money!”  

Are the leaders aware of what the hell development means? The process of making the world more humane. How many people work in hospitals they can’t afford to get sick in? How many people work in schools they can’t afford to get educated in? How many people work in entertainment joints they can’t afford to party in?

Of police spokesman

Ever heard someone talk and felt an intense urge to clap their face with a chair? That sensation hit me last night as I listened to Larry Madowo interviewing the police spokesman. I didn’t know whether to be mad or sad, or both.

That guy has the worst job description. Probably there is a line that goes like; ’the ideal candidate must have the ability to shut off practical reason from time to time in order to maintain the image of the police force.’

On the fringes of Boni Forest, brave Kenyan officers fight to protect us despite great odds. The shocking bit was during question time. I was waiting for the usual PR but the man in question could not hide the fury and agitation he got from officers who are supposed to be so patriotic as to survive without food and water. Nothing seemed to work. What with the broken down police vehicle? Faulty communication equipment. The tired typewriter working way past the manufacturers had intended.    

The spokesman kept repeating how we are not a developed country.  Couldn’t help but draw parallels with operation red wings which was conceived by the U.S. Marine corps and utilized special operations forces units and assets. It is true that we cannot compare to that but surely we can do better logistically than what was aired last night.  

Owino (police spokesman) beat Pastor Ng’ang’a by answering questions that were not asked. Actually, Owino ran the show. He asked more questions than he answered.

Sample this:

Larry: Did you see that typewriter?

Owino: Do they have power?  

Those gallant soldiers earn 600 bob hardship allowance. 20K salary. There isn’t a better description of disgrace.

The problem lies with us, the citizenry. Why? Because come 2017, we will elect the same guys back to office by 6am. Who is the fool?

You tell me.