Avoid Disputes and Fight Corruption, Kenyatta Tells Governors

President Kenyatta said that the county governments are at risk of being divided by divergent views of its leaders and citizenry and challenged them to use these views as a stepping stone to development.

“We operate in a robust democracy that must be maintained at all times. All legitimate viewpoints must be accommodated in all their diversity. However, we must not let this freedom and democracy and diversity divide or destroy our common aspirations,” said the President.

“We must dedicate ourselves to accommodate difference and resolve misunderstandings in a peaceful way.”

The Head of State noted that disputes have undermined the public confidence in the capacity of county governments to meet their expectations and called on the county leaderships to use them as building block.

“Disputes are a threat to the county governments. This is dangerous for devolution. Functional overlaps are occasionally inevitable that they should not be an arena for conflict, but opportunities to maximize synergies,” he noted. 

Eliminating corruption

“Negotiation and cooperation, when sustained and applied consistently, will open our eyes to the great promise of devolution.”

He called on the Governors to use powers in their disposal to fight corruption and abuse of office by their respective counties.

“While devolution holds the key to a prosperous and equitable Kenya, this promise is being undermined by bad financial governance: simply put corruption.   We as a people must, without exception, be prepared to eliminate this evil practice.”

He added: “The resources available to develop this country have been generated through toil and sacrifice. They must be utilized prudently and for the intended legal purposes. I am busy fighting corruption in the national government.”

He called on the Governors to entrench traditions of professionalism, diligence and integrity in county governments.

“Do not waste this opportunity. Let’s make the people of Kenya proud by rejecting corruption and embracing integrity,” he told the Governors.