Uhuru: Fight against corruption not targeting any tribe

Uhuru: Fight against corruption not targeting any tribe

President Uhuru Kenyatta has rubbished claims that the war against the vice is targeting a particular community.

According to him, the war against corruption is not targeting any age, race, color, tribe or religion but is a national fight.

He termed those that are crying foul in the name of their community as dishonest and asked: “Which gender, tribe or religion admires the rape of a country?”

President Kenyatta was speaking on Friday evening during a round table interview with journalists in Mombasa.

The Head of State further noted that graft is perpetuated by individuals and warned leaders to refrain from claims that those arrested and arraigned are only from one part of the country.

President Kenyatta even compared the extent of corruption in Kenya to HIV saying “when we talk about the disease we do not ask which tribe or religion.”

He said regardless of political party, if found culpable, every suspect must face the law as there are no ‘untouchables.’

“When it comes to corruption, it does not matter whether you are my relatives or friends,” he reiterated.

During the interview at State House, Mombasa, the President also said the fight against corruption is on track but the Judiciary must play its part.

“The Judiciary must be active which means they should hear cases expeditiously but also independently. Kenyans are tired of seeing cases before the Judiciary that take months and years,” he said.

He reiterated his Jamhuri Day message that Kenyans expect justice to be served to anyone found guilty of corruption.

The President added that the Prosecutor must independently ascertain whether cases should be in court.

When asked whether it is time to create a law that deals with time frame, President Kenyatta said these are issues that Kenyans should be concerned about.

“If our Judiciary needs changes in the law they should say so but I don’t believe so. We have special courts that can hear these cases concurrently,” he added.

The President was however categorical that the days when the Executive arm of government dictated terms for the Judiciary are long gone and independence is key.

According to him, there is no need to interfere with the Judiciary but there is need for more responsibility in handling of corruption cases.

“You cannot leave cases in limbo and use your independence as an excuse,” he said.

On his legacy, the President said at the end of his tenure, he expects to have a country where corruption has been brought to an end, ‘a legacy where those who choose public service will do so because of their commitment to servant leadership but not because of what they can gain.’

When asked whether the office of the Auditor general is one of the strongest pillars in the fight against corruption, the President said he doesn’t look at any office in singularity.

According to him all public offices have their role to play.

He also noted that the Government would bring in expertise from outside the country if there is need to to support investigative agencies.

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Uhuru kenyatta corruption DPP boss Noordin Haji.

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