Letter to the Editor, Clare People, 24th July 2007

Sir,

The news, reported last week, that some 30 junior ministers in the Nairobi cabinet, 'earning' $9 million a year, have taken the unusual step of informing their president that they have simply nothing to do is bizarre yet unsurprising.

President Kibaki has disappointed many over his inability, or unwillingness, to tackle the endemic corruption that prevents Kenya from taking its place among successful nations.

Since these 30 ministers are apparently superfluous to the needs of the government, it is now clear that 'jobs for the boys' – the smiling face of corruption – is rampant at every level of his administration.

Tony Blair famously said that 'only Africans can save Africa'. Unfortunately, it would appear that the majority of Africans who wish their continent were saved are dominated by the elite minority who don't.

John O'Shea,
GOAL