What I couldn’t fathom was why Dr Ndii mentioned Mr Ruto in the same breath with corruption. It’s true that in the past, Dr Ndii has called DP Ruto every epithet and dirty name, from murderer, thief, to conman. He even accused him of holding a fake PhD. If you doubt me, check Dr Ndii’s Twitter timeline over the past three years. It’s all there – in black, white, and whatever colour you choose. But that was back in the day when Dr Ndii was a key strategist for ODM’s Raila Odinga and Nasa. Today, his epithets are directed at Mr Odinga and the Luo community, not Mr Ruto any more. To Dr Ndii, Mr Ruto is today a saint.
I don’t know whether Dr Ndii was speaking on his own volition, or whether he was cleared by Mr Ruto to float the balloon of amnesty. Or whether it was an admission by DP Ruto through Dr Ndii that the latter was corrupt but should be amnestied with other pilfering mandarins. If I didn’t know any better, I would conclude that Dr Ndii suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the mental discombobulation caused by extreme emotional or physical violence. It’s not also clear whether the amnesty Dr Ndii supports for looters and other criminals would be extended to everyone, including Hustler Nation chicken thieves, rapists, and small-time pickpockets. Would tax cheats go scot free, and all jails emptied?
I know a little something about truth commissions and transitional justice. I ran the official task force that preceded the establishment of Kenya’s truth commission. I’ve taught and written about truth commissions for three decades. An amnesty, even in the exceptional circumstances it’s agreed upon as policy, is highly conditioned. The thief, or perpetrator, returns the loot and suffers lustration, which is a bar from holding any public office. In no case – ever – would the thief be elevated to the highest office in the land. Amnesty isn’t about forgiving evil conduct, or forgetting it. It’s a permanent scarlet letter that marks the perpetrator as society’s enemy who’s been let go without criminal sanctions after restitution, penance, and public shaming.
Amnesties are only given to make sure the perpetrator never ascends again to power to torment society a second time. In no situation is the looter or perpetrator of atrocity given the keys to the treasury and welcomed by singing virgins at the gates of the kingdom of heaven. He’s a pariah to be recorded in history as a lesson to others and to society never to allow such a pariah to emerge again. Dr Ndii needs to know that no society develops on impunity, or amnesia on past wrongs. I hope this isn’t how Dr Ndii and Linda Katiba protect the Constitution. Justice always cries out until it is done.
No, unlike Prof Mutua, he is not a slave to Raila. He is a political economist - and Ruto has to be careful - with his advices - especially doomsday scenarios. This country need visionaries.
Ndii need to be ready for criticism - now that he is Ruto policy advisor. He can't have his cake and eat it. His amnesty policy need to be clear to Wanjiku.
Prof Mutua and you kind of double standards and hypocrisy were rejected famously in 2013 when Kenyans elected two indicted ICC duos. It tells you kenyans are not interested in the allegation of corruption or such - but rather in what you CAN DO.
I believe Ndii and Ruto have found a working relationship because Ruto is an intellectual on his own right - and clearly has the passion to get stuff done.
If you focus on say Kagame lack of democratic credentials and his murderous profile of non-tutsi - you may not appreciate the rest of his talents -that has seen Rwanda grow at almost double digit for 20yrs.
Professor David Ndii is a popular scholar, economist and pro-democracy activist. Lately he is the economic advisor to the leading presidential contender and DP William Ruto. His policy proposals are public issues than should be debated. Donge?
For example he mentioned Ruto by name when calling for immunity for corruption... this is serious. Is it blanket or conditional immunity? Would it apply to chicken thieves and pickpockets? Etc. Don't shoot the messenger
14 character tweet is not policy. Ruto is clean as whistle. The rest are idle allegations not proven in any court of law. That settles that non-issue. Ruto is not in any prison seeking for amnesty. The idle talk of Ruto corruption or murders or name them - are empty talk!
We are waiting with baited breath for the bottom-up policy that Ruto and Ndii are working on. It appears they will go round the country and come up with something like that.
What we already know is that Ndii has converted Ruto from my preferred infrastructure investment first to social investment first POV - let's see what they will unveil.
Or it will be NASA Ndii come up with policy - and the financier Wanjigi - edit the whole shiet out - and unveil a vendor driven one a week to unveiling.
We are all waiting to see the ponzi scheme yes. Where everyone magically become rich. Bated breaths here.
Ndii is in politics now so he needs to brace for criticism. It always easier to criticise than fend it off. Calling for amnesty for thieves - ha! - because his new patron is an instant billionaire. This has already attracted fire not just from Makau Mutua.14 character tweet is not policy. Ruto is clean as whistle. The rest are idle allegations not proven in any court of law. That settles that non-issue. Ruto is not in any prison seeking for amnesty. The idle talk of Ruto corruption or murders or name them - are empty talk!
We are waiting with baited breath for the bottom-up policy that Ruto and Ndii are working on. It appears they will go round the country and come up with something like that.
What we already know is that Ndii has converted Ruto from my preferred infrastructure investment first to social investment first POV - let's see what they will unveil.
Or it will be NASA Ndii come up with policy - and the financier Wanjigi - edit the whole shiet out - and unveil a vendor driven one a week to unveiling.
In 2019, Ndii vowed to leave the country if Dr Ruto becomes the head of state in 2022.
“I am making plans just in case. I have no intention of living in a country governed by a neurotic megalomaniac,” said Ndii.
?s=20Economist @DavidNdii ADMITS that @WilliamsRuto is CORRUPT and should be FORGIVEN. Forgiven — in exchange for what? Forgive and forget — and REWARD him with @StateHouseKenya in 2022? Tell us more. I am all ears. https://t.co/DdLjeVuwmo
— Prof Makau Mutua (@makaumutua) May 4, 2021