Kenyans hold key to ending corruption, says Obama

United States President Barack Obama has called on Kenyans to stand up against corruption, saying that ordinary people hold the key to end corruption.

Speaking at the Safaricom Indoor Gymnasium in Kasarani while delivering his address to the public, President Obama said that corruption is a habit and for it to end the habit has to be changed.

“It is time to change the habit and culture of corruption,” said the US head of state, adding that ending corruption requires the commitment of the entire nation.

“Ordinary people have to say enough is enough,” he added.

He said that although corruption is not unique to Kenya, it is tolerated because that is how things have always been done.

Obama added that corruption is an anchor that holds back development, saying that for every shilling that goes to a corrupt person, someone loses a job or an opportunity.

“Corruption costs Kenyans 250,000 jobs every year,” he said, adding: “The money that goes into the pocket of a corrupt person could be used to pay a person doing an honest day’s work.”

The US president also spoke on the prosecution of corrupt individuals saying that strict laws should be enacted to combat the vice and that top level officials involved in corruption should also be punished.

“Punish not only low level corruption but also high level corruption,” he said.

The US head of state further lauded the government for its efforts in ridding the country of corruption.

He ended his passionate speech by saying “we have not inherited this land from our fore bearers, we have borrowed it from our children.”