Proposed law should not commercialise heroism

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission is seeking to recover money paid to Meridian and Clinix by the NHIF. Photo/File 

In Summary

• The complexity of the matter, however, arises from the lack of a clear consensus on exactly who a national hero is, and how much the State should spend in rewarding such persons.

The National Heroes Bill introduced in Parliament last Thursday is a poorly thought out legislation with potentially huge, negative implications on the national budget.

If passed in its current form, the new law will entitle the so called national heroes to free health care services, adequate housing and reasonable standards of sanitation, adequate food and water of acceptable quality and quantity.

The heroes will also get free transport to public functions to which they are invited. In addition, tax payers will foot the bill for building symbolic tombs, monuments and statues in the heroes’ honour, plaques, photographs, memoirs and their histories at the Heroes Square.

What is even more worrying, taxpayers will bear the responsibility of educating dependants of the heroes up to tertiary level, in addition to providing employment opportunities for those who have relevant qualifications.

On the face of it, the idea of recognising and honouring national heroes is a noble one that should ordinarily not raise any dissent.

The complexity of the matter, however, arises from the lack of a clear consensus on exactly who a national hero is, and how much the State should spend in rewarding such persons.

There are those who feel that a medal is as much as a nation owes to individuals who make extraordinary sacrifices or achieve rare feats for their country. Yet there are those, like MPs who supported the Bill, who feel that heroes should be showered with financial rewards.

The proposed law lists acts of heroism as being contribution to the liberation struggle, prophesy, indigenous knowledge, cultural values, scholarship, research, statesmanship and other special achievements.

It also proposes creation of a National Heroes Council comprising 13 members to identify and recommend national heroes, establish and oversee management of the national heroes square, administer assistance to national heroes and oversee the design and creation of appropriate commemorative items for purposes of honouring heroes.

While MPs could be reacting to the many stories of perceived neglect of individuals seen to have performed heroic acts, it is important to exercise restraint when enacting laws that are likely to impose an onerous burden on taxpayers.

It makes much more sense to institutionalise reward for everyday Kenyans who perform their duties exceptionally well by for example paying policemen and sportsmen decent wages, than commercialising acts of heroism through legislation.