Kenya’s Attorney General, Amos Wako and Kenya’s Anti Corruption Commission  Director, Aaron Ringera were in the thick of the heat this week for  clearing powerful suspects implicated in the Ksh 50 billion Anglo Leasing Scandal in what is seen as a massive attempt  of cover up.

This act by eminent custodians of the law paints a very poor image of Africa concerning corruption and gives corrupt wealthy nations a platform to lambast Africa as well as carry out their shady deals.

Africa has been termed as genetically corrupt. Such a belief lends credence to multinationals to import and impose their own ‘experts’ on the projects they set up in Africa, consequently ensuring the money they ‘lend’ Africa goes back to their countries. It justifies Prof. Jeffrey Sachs, bypassing of African leaders to take project money directly to his Millenium Villages, consequently emasculating respective countries’ leaders. It justifies tourists being flown in by British Airways, picked by a British tour company and staying in a hotel owned by a British investor as Africans can not be trusted.

Reports from the ongoing World Social Forum indicate that Sub-Saharan Africa loses about Ksh 20 trillion (more than $274 billion) annually through tax evasion by international corporates, prompting the formation of the Tax Network Justice Africa branch.

Blaming Africa wholesome for corruption without factoring in rich donor countries that bring in billions, supply military hardware and grease government officials’ hands for deals is getting the point wrong.  

But Wako and Ringera should consider the long term effects of their action and the picture they are painting of African intellectuals. They are certainly letting Africa down by giving critics of Africa a punching bag.

This edition examines malpractices that impede economic growth in Africa and provides the way foward, among other issues.