Fear of prosecution affecting our job, says PS

A large number of senior government officials are living in fear of prosecution by the Kenya Anti Corruption Commission over perceived corruption as they go about their duties.

Roads Permanent Secretary Michael Kamau told the Public Accounts Committee Tuesday the fear could affect the delivery of crucial services as the accounting officers are hesitant to make decisions without broad consultations.

He said this is also likely to scare younger professionals away from senior positions once the older generation of civil servants leave office.

He cited the specific law that prevents his ministry from paying out more than 15 per cent to a contractor before work on a road commences.

“We no longer care. You feel like you don’t want the job. We (Permanent Secretaries) are a frustrated lot yet we are performing to the best of our ability,” said Mr Kamau.

“We will leave to pave the way for those who are capable to take over but with the current trend, we will end up short of the people to do the job.”

Mr Kamau was speaking when he presented the report of the auditor general to the committee, which is chaired by Mwala MP Daniel Muoki.

He said the Ministry is now cautious to demolish structures put up on road reserves after a developer sued minister Franklin Bett over the pulling down of a house in Spring Valley.

The owner of the palatial residence pulled down on July 14 last year has sued the minister over the demolition, and claims to have a valid title deed for the land.

However, the Ministry insists the building was erected on land reserved for the construction of a 4.4 kilometre road to link the Northern Bypass to Waiyaki Way near ABC Place.

Mr Muoki said the committee would propose ways to allow the accounting officers more space to carry out their work without fear.

North Horr MP Chachu Ganya said Kacc should respect other bodies since it does not work in isolation and should involve them in its work.