Ethics and the search for a national identity

Ethics and the search for a national identity
In previous articles, we talked about the insidious corruption plaguing our government employees. The bane of our people will be this malignancy that has regrettably become a requirement for the procurement of government services.
So pervasive is this corruption that it is practiced in the private sector without any shame from the seeker or remorse from the giver. From the Failed States Index 2009, we learn that Kenya is ranked 14th out of 177 countries surveyed by the Fund for Peace. This may seem like old news, but in light of the recent scams orchestrated by ministry officials, and the ominous alliances being proposed by our copious legislators, we feel the need to sound an alarm now rather than sing a dirge over our nation later.
We interact daily with one another, in business dealings, in the work place, in school and at social gatherings. We therefore believe that in order to forge a national identity, we should seriously examine how we treat one another. Below are some suggestions that may minimize corruption and inculcate nationalism.
• Adopt a uniform code of conduct for all government •Employees: All employees should be trained in customer service. Issues like how to greet the public, how to transact business professionally and how to handle complaints should be addressed among others. A yearly review of employee conduct may determine continuation or termination of employment. Periodic impromptu ‘secret shopper’ operations should be carried out to flush out employees engaging in reprehensible behaviors such as bribery.
• Establish a dedicated hot line: This office will deal with customer criticisms and suggestions. This may take the form of regional centers throughout the country to bring services closer to the people. Complaints should be investigated and positive interactions should be rewarded.
• Establishment of regional Better Business Bureaus: They would comprise of local businesses associations dedicated to providing an excellent shopping experience. Their membership badge would be displayed prominently on their premises to reassure customers that they will be treated fairly and disagreements will be resolved.
• Cultural events: We would engage in regional and national events featuring sports, music, crafts and others. Participants would be drawn from students as well as the general public from all diverse areas. The expected outcome would be that participants would then teach their neighbors that other Kenyans may be different terms of language and appearance but we all experience the same joys and pain.
• Education and awareness: Schools should make ethics and morality a part of the curriculum from the onset until university level. Student exchange programs would make students appreciate other cultures different from their own. We should teach our children about our traditional history, the heroes of yesteryear from different tribes and the achievements and contributions of Kenyans towards our liberation.
As for nationalism, we previously talked about the importance of establishing local sustainable economies. An integrated neighborhood that worked and played together would be hesitant to turn on each other at the behest of greedy, power hungry politicians. That workmate, that friend from a different tribe, that fellow parent whose children go to the same school, is more likely to be of assistance in time of need than the politician who promised everything but will not be seen until the next general election.
Kenyans in the Diaspora are curiously nationalistic. One would think that living a comfortable life in the west would make them adopt western ways and reject the trappings of home. Conversely, they seek to retain and cultivate the ways of the motherland. They pine for all things Kenyan, food, music, film, news and social interaction through celebration of our national holidays. Absence makes the heart grow fonder they say, and it is only when we are separated from what makes us Africans do we get to appreciate the beauty and uniqueness that is Kenya. We may not be the greatest nation on earth, but we would like to believe we are the greatest people on this green earth!
Suggestions and reactions from readers welcomed.