Use tyranny of numbers to fight corruption, COTU tells Uhuru

Central Organisation for Trade Unions (COTU) has asked President Uhuru Kenyatta to use tyranny of numbers in Parliament to fight corruption.

In a presser on Sunday, COTU Deputy Secretary General Benson Okwaro said it was escapist for President Kenyatta to distance himself from the corruption allegations rocking his government faulting his recent pronouncement that he had played his part in fighting graft.

“The president should not tell Kenyans that his hands are tied. Instead he should use the numbers in Parliament to institute action against those named in corruption scandals,” said Okwaro.

He also condemned the increased cases of corruption in the government, singling out the Ksh5 billion scam facing the health ministry as a point of concern.

“Whenever a corruption scandal in unearthed, Jubilee government, especially Deputy President William Ruto, is always so defensive instead of getting to the bottom of the allegations. There is need for transparent investigations to help stop corruption in government.”

COTU further called on Kenyans to condemn corruption and speak out against looting of public funds.

Speaking in connection to allegations that Uhuru’s sister’s firm irregularly benefitted from tender meant for special groups, COTU warned the president against involving his family in government engagements.

“Engaging his family members in government businesses creates conflict of interest thus derails the other activities in the state,” said Okwaro.

COTU further vowed to only support government’s projects that would benefit Kenya and not offrr blind support even in the face of corruption allegations.

Jubilee government has come under sharp criticism in the past week over the alleged theft of Sh5 billion meant for children vaccines and free maternity services.

Health Ministry Cabinet Secretary Cleopa Mailu has vowed to investigate the allegations and take action against anyone named in the graft.

Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have launched investigations into the matter.

By Branice Nafula