I love the phrase "forensics lab" because it is a sign that the Government of Kenya, in its heart of hearts, is still living in a world where white elephants are the key to someone climbing up the Forbes' list of one-percenters. First it was those nice guys in the securocracy with their Anglo-Leasing who came up with the words "forensic lab" but ended up spending billions for air. Now it is the turn of the environment Cabinet Secretary who is being egged on by wildlife conservationists in the name of the elephants an rhinos and Nairobi National Park.
The Wildlife Management and Conservation Act (No. 47 of 2013) is a brilliant piece of legislation; it misses a fundamental point about the Government of Kenya, wildlife conservation and the nature of the public service. The pressure from wildlife conservation groups to enact a more robust wildlife law was done almost in denial that the decimation of pachyderms and odd-toed ungulates happens because key members of the wildlife conservation establishment want it to happen. Just two weeks ago a lorry belonging to the National Police was intercepted as to was ferrying twenty million shillings worth of sandalwood. I wasn't surprised that a week later the lorry and the sandalwood disappeared from the police station where both were being detained.
Those who are whispering in the Cabinet Secretary's ear about a "forensic lab" are either very naive, which I don't believe, or simply don't care to learn from the Anglo-Leasing mess, which might be true if they are true believers in wildlife conservation, or they are eyeing a slice of the "forensics lab" pie when it all goes "KABOOM!" as it always does when mega-bucks and public procurement are involved. This thing with the "forensic lab" will end badly, as all mega public procurement white elephants tend to.
I am supposed to give the Cabinet Secretary and her people the benefit of the doubt; after all, after the enactment of Act No. 47 of 2013, the rate at which pachyderms were being decimated fell, as did the rate of odd-toed ungulates, if you believe the CS and her boosters. Yet, despite the detainment of Faisal Fazul, a notorious poaching kingpin, someone packed a forty-feet long shipping container with elephant tusks and rhino horns, labelled it as "tea" and was on the verge of shipping it to Thailand before it was intercepted by an uncharacteristically eagle-eyed customs officer. It would just be the latest of previous "tea" exports to Thailand that seemed to pass through the port of Mombasa despite the new "tougher" wildlife law. How a "forensic lab" will slow down "tea" exports remains a mystery.
Forensic science is the application of science to criminal and civil laws. Forensic scientists are tasked with the collection, preservation, and analysis of scientific evidence during the course of an investigation. While some forensic scientists travel to the scene to collect the evidence themselves, others occupy a purely laboratory role, performing analysis on objects brought to them by other individuals. Thus far no one has persuaded the long-suffering people of Kenya that a billion-shillings "forensics" lab is a priority over basic shit: like TB drugs.
The police, not the most honest of people at the best of times, loved the phrase "forensic lab" so much we are still paying for it a decade after the swindle was exposed for what it was. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. We are not falling for that again, almost-extinct odd-toed ungulates and pachyderms notwithstanding. Best put that money in Cleopa Mailu's hands and hope he can buy all the TB drugs he needs.
I am supposed to give the Cabinet Secretary and her people the benefit of the doubt; after all, after the enactment of Act No. 47 of 2013, the rate at which pachyderms were being decimated fell, as did the rate of odd-toed ungulates, if you believe the CS and her boosters. Yet, despite the detainment of Faisal Fazul, a notorious poaching kingpin, someone packed a forty-feet long shipping container with elephant tusks and rhino horns, labelled it as "tea" and was on the verge of shipping it to Thailand before it was intercepted by an uncharacteristically eagle-eyed customs officer. It would just be the latest of previous "tea" exports to Thailand that seemed to pass through the port of Mombasa despite the new "tougher" wildlife law. How a "forensic lab" will slow down "tea" exports remains a mystery.
Forensic science is the application of science to criminal and civil laws. Forensic scientists are tasked with the collection, preservation, and analysis of scientific evidence during the course of an investigation. While some forensic scientists travel to the scene to collect the evidence themselves, others occupy a purely laboratory role, performing analysis on objects brought to them by other individuals. Thus far no one has persuaded the long-suffering people of Kenya that a billion-shillings "forensics" lab is a priority over basic shit: like TB drugs.
The police, not the most honest of people at the best of times, loved the phrase "forensic lab" so much we are still paying for it a decade after the swindle was exposed for what it was. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. We are not falling for that again, almost-extinct odd-toed ungulates and pachyderms notwithstanding. Best put that money in Cleopa Mailu's hands and hope he can buy all the TB drugs he needs.
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