Events at this week's meeting of the giant Kenya National Union of Teachers in Nairobi were appalling as officials scuffled as they differed on whether journalists should cover their deliberations or not.
However, the big debate for the meeting was not whether their deliberations should be open to the Press or not but rather the swelling impatience by members on the perceived delay by officials who have reached the mandatory retirement age of 60 years.
Branch officials were accused of scheming to change the retirement age for Knut staff to 65, following the extension of the civil service retirement age from 55 to 60 years. The Knut officials should not fall into the temptation of bending rules to perpetuate their stay in office. Unfortunately this is a culture that is common in Africa. Because leaders realise that power is sweet when they get into office, it is attractive to change the rules. Indeed many presidents in Africa have marshalled support and even hoodwinked majority of voters to rally behind the change of an entire constitution to serve the interests of a few.
It is high time leaders in Africa appreciated the fact that positions of leadership are public service roles entrusted on them only for a time. The sooner more leaders in Africa realise this, the sooner they would start mentoring those under them to take over the mantles of leadership.
For the Knut case, it is good that it ended well with the leaders assuring that they would leave office.
Source: The Standard | Online Edition
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