What If We Had The Chance? A Reflection On The Hidden Thief Within
The Mt Kenya Times 
By: Midmark Onsongo
Worth Noting:
- The well-known saying, “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely,” wasn’t coined without reason. Time and time again, people who once lived humbly and modestly find themselves tangled in webs of corruption the moment they ascend to positions of authority. It’s easy to declare them as morally bankrupt, but the reality is far more complicated.
- What if they started out just like you, vowing to never let greed take control? Yet, when the temptation presented itself, they, too, fell prey to the allure of easy wealth. In Kenya, corruption has become so ingrained in the system that it feels like a never-ending cycle.
We often sit in judgment, glaring at the headlines of yet another scandal involving public figures, politicians, and leaders. We shake our heads in disgust as we see corruption running rampant, with billions disappearing into the pockets of the few, while the majority are left struggling to survive. We are quick to condemn, labelling them all as thieves, looters of the public coffers, and corrupt beyond measure. But a deeper question lurks beneath the surface: What if the tables were turned? What if it was you or I in that position of power? Could we confidently say we wouldn’t do the same? The allure of power and wealth is one that many of us haven’t truly faced. It’s easy to sit on the outside and claim moral superiority when the opportunity to steal hasn’t presented itself to us. However, human nature is complex, and the line between right and wrong often blurs when faced with the temptations that accompany power. The truth is, we can never fully understand the weight of that temptation until we’re the ones standing at the crossroads.
Take a moment and ask yourself: If I were in charge of a government office, managing large budgets, overseeing huge contracts, and surrounded by people who continually offer bribes and backhand deals, could I resist? If you found yourself in a position where millions could be funneled into your account with little chance of getting caught, would you turn away from that? Most of us would like to think we’d uphold our values and stick to the straight and narrow. But history has shown that power has a way of changing people.
The well-known saying, “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely,” wasn’t coined without reason. Time and time again, people who once lived humbly and modestly find themselves tangled in webs of corruption the moment they ascend to positions of authority. It’s easy to declare them as morally bankrupt, but the reality is far more complicated. What if they started out just like you, vowing to never let greed take control? Yet, when the temptation presented itself, they, too, fell prey to the allure of easy wealth. In Kenya, corruption has become so ingrained in the system that it feels like a never-ending cycle. Leaders rise to power with promises of reform and clean governance, only to fall into the same traps as their predecessors. But it’s not just about those in political offices. Corruption is everywhere — in businesses, schools, hospitals, and even homes. From bribing traffic police officers to paying off government officials for favors, the corruption cycle continues. Can we really claim to be any better than the ones we criticize when we participate in these smaller acts of dishonesty? The truth is, many of us are corrupt in our own ways. We may not have access to the large sums of money that politicians have, but how often do we cut corners? How often do we lie, cheat, or manipulate situations to our benefit? In the workplace, how many of us take credit for someone else’s work or misuse office resources for personal gain? In schools, how many students cheat on exams or buy their way through to pass? The truth is, if we were to strip away the levels of power and wealth, we’d see that the same spirit of dishonesty runs through society from top to bottom.
There’s a common phrase you’ll hear people say in jest: “I’m not corrupt, I just haven’t gotten the chance to be.” But underneath the humor lies a painful truth. Many of us might not be engaging in large-scale corruption because we haven’t been placed in a position where we could. Given the right circumstances, it’s frightening to consider how easily we could fall into the same trap.
It’s easy to criticize and point fingers at those at the top, but when we participate in acts of corruption on a smaller scale, we are part of the same problem. The society we live in has normalized dishonesty and corruption to the point where it’s almost expected. You bribe to get things done faster. You pay off the right person to get a better position. You forge documents because everyone else is doing it. This is the reality we live in, and unless we acknowledge it, we’re doomed to repeat the cycle. But the conversation shouldn’t stop at blame. The question should then follow: How do we break out of this cycle? How do we rebuild a culture where honesty and integrity are prized above personal gain? The first step is acknowledging our own role in perpetuating corruption. Whether big or small, every dishonest act contributes to the larger culture of corruption. We need to stop seeing integrity as something for “other people” and begin holding ourselves accountable. Would we behave differently if we were in positions of power? Would we be the ones to break the mold? It’s easy to say yes from where we’re standing, but the true test of character comes when we’re faced with the real temptation. Many politicians entered the arena with good intentions, promising change. Yet, the corrupt system swallowed them whole. The pressure to conform is immense, and without a strong foundation of personal values, it’s nearly impossible to resist. Perhaps the real issue is the system itself — a system that’s designed to reward corruption and punish those who try to stay clean. We often wonder why whistleblowers are few and far between, but the answer is simple: they’re isolated, ostracized, and punished for speaking out. The system is rigged in favor of those who participate in its corruption. Until we dismantle this system, we will continue to breed thieves, no matter who is in power.
We need to reimagine a society where values like integrity, accountability, and transparency are held in high regard. This requires a collective effort, from the leaders at the top to the citizens on the ground. It’s about changing mindsets and re-educating ourselves on what it means to live an honest life. It’s about creating systems that make it harder to steal and easier to do the right thing. The question isn’t whether or not we could steal if given the chance — the real question is, what kind of society do we want to build? If we continue down the path we’re on, where corruption is the norm, the future looks bleak. But if we begin to shift our values, if we stop participating in the small acts of dishonesty in our daily lives, we might just have a chance at building a better future. The next time we’re quick to judge those at the top, let’s pause and reflect: what would we do if we were in their shoes? The answer might not be as clear as we’d like to believe.
This article was scripted by;
MIDMARK ONSONGO,SGS
(Socio-Geographic Scholar)
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