No silver bullet for corruption, President Kenyatta says in end-year address

President Uhuru Kenyatta has vowed to fight corruption in the country saying that the efforts must go beyond arrests to convictions.

In his end of year address to the nation, the president acknowledged that there is no magic solution to corruption, adding that fighting the vice requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders.

“What I have learned this year, ladies and gentlemen, is that there is no silver bullet for corruption.  Efforts must be sustained and undertaken in multiple sectors and levels.  Rooting out this crime will not come overnight, just as it did not rise overnight but has been with us for many years”, he said.

The head of state lauded the private sector for its efforts in the fight against graft saying: “I am glad that the Private Sector raised its hand and crafted a corruption law that has serious consequences for businesses that corrupt public servants”.

He expressed optimism that the new Chief Justice David Maraga would ensure corruption cases are prosecuted and those involved brought to book, adding that rich and powerful individuals involved in corruption would no longer corrupt the court process to delay justice.

He mentioned the Rio Olympics fiasco, stating that he has received the findings with two sets of recommendations.

“One is reform of Sport, including with criteria for team selection for major events,” he said.

President Kenyatta assured that those found culpable of graft in the case would be held accountable, noting that the office of the director of public prosecutions is reviewing the files to ascertain whether there is evidence to take action on Sports Ministry bosses.

He warned against politicizing the fight against corruption, saying that it delays progress.

The Jubilee Administration has been hit with major corruption scandals that have seen members of the public criticize it and cast doubt on its ability to deal with the vice in the country.

The latest scandal to rock President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration is the Afya House scam where up to Ksh5 billion is suspected to have been lost.

This even as investigations into the National Youth Service scam that saw about Ksh1.6 billion shillings lost continues.