Gov’t to fight corruption decisively- Kenyatta

KSh. 2.24 billion of corruptly acquired money and property has been recovered, this is according to President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Speaking at Nyayo stadium during the 52^nd Jamhuri Day celebrations, the President announced that an additional 200 million shillings held abroad in connection with the Anglo-Leasing fraud has also been frozen.

“It doesn’t matter what is acquired with the proceeds of corruption; ultimately, all will be forfeited,” said President Kenyatta who reiterated that his government is committed to fighting graft.

“Everyone – the three arms of Government, the private sector, religious and community leaders, every Kenyan – must play their role in this fight. After all, every Kenyan is hurt by corruption,” stated the President.

President Kenyatta noted that at the start of this December 2015, 337 cases related to corruption were in court.

Of those, 68 involve senior Kenyans, among them Members of Parliament, Governors, and Cabinet and Principal Secretaries.

In the meantime, the Cabinet and Principal Secretaries under investigation have been relieved of their duties.

“It is time now for the judiciary to act decisively to conclude the cases before it, for our constitution requires that justice be served without undue procedural delay,” said the Head of State.

“Yesterday, preservation orders were gazetted, prohibiting the transfer of property that may have been purchased with funds embezzled from the National Youth Service. The property will be held until all relevant legal matters are concluded,” he added.

President Kenyatta noted that nobody is above the law, adding that corruption is Kenya’s great enemy.

“No one called to account should ever again hide under the false claim that their community or religion is under siege. Your community or religion was not there when you were stealing,” President Kenyatta stated candidly.

President Kenyatta called on Kenyans to fight corruption with tenacity and unity of purpose.

“Corruption is corrosive: it has brought us destructive ethnic politics which associate public office with the accumulation of wealth,” he stated. “ A bribe is given to let a faulty public service vehicle go through a roadblock; later the vehicle crashes and kills innocent Kenyans. Terrorists offer bribes hoping to cross our borders. Corruption kills.”

The President’s sentiments were echoes by Deputy President William Ruto.

“As Government, we are going to take a firm and decisive stand against people who thrive in mismanagement through corruption,” stated the Deputy President. “Leaders must take the forefront in ensuring we lead in the fight against corruption.”

Ruto urged Kenyans to commit to the fight and the use of resources of Kenya in a prudent and resourceful manner.