Name and shame corrupt Kenyans, Mutua tells the West
From left: Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua, Mars Wrigley Confectioneries General Manager Duncan McCulloch, Global Vice President, Corporate Affairs Allyson Park, Industry CS Peter Munya and US Ambassador to Kenya Kyle McCarter cut a ribbon during the launch a new Sh7 billion factory in Athi River, Machakos County on April 23, 2019. Governor Mutua asked western nations to help Kenya fight graft. PHOTO | SALATON NJAU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- He asked the US Ambassador to Kenya Kyle McCarter to ask Washington to release what he termed as a “list of shame”.
- He wondered why the West would allow the “known thieves” to hide looted money in their countries.
- Kenyans, he said, should not trust “thieves” to create jobs for the youth and grow the country’s economy.
Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua has asked western countries to help Kenya fight corruption and drug trafficking.
Speaking on Tuesday during the unveiling of Mars Wrigley Confectioneries plant in Athi River, Dr Mutua challenged the US and the European Union to make public their databases on Kenyan drug barons, terrorists and corrupt government officials.
He asked the US Ambassador to Kenya Kyle McCarter, who was in attendance, to ask Washington to release what he termed as a “list of shame”.
“I want to challenge the American ambassador and your colleagues from the European Union and even other nations like Japan to take a stand on the issue of corruption (in Kenya),” said Dr Mutua.
DATABASE
He added: “You have a database of drug dealers and, I believe, terrorists from our region who are on your radar. I also believe there is a database of super corrupt people in this country. My request is, stop these very senior government officials from stealing from us.”
He further asked the West to ban corrupt individuals from investing in their countries or hiding their loot in their banks.
“Name and shame these people. You have the database of the corrupt people. Give us a list of shame and stop them from coming to your country. Punish them so that they don’t just send their children to study in your country and to live well whereas our children are left in suffering in poverty,” Dr Mutua said.
LOOTERS
He wondered why the West would allow the “known thieves” to hide looted money in their countries as Kenya goes through “a whole judicial system” to repatriate the money back.
“Why can’t you stop them from coming to your countries to hide or invest our money?” posed Dr Mutua.
And in an indirect reference to Deputy President William Ruto, the governor wondered why some people think the war on corruption targets them.
“There are some who say they are targeted whenever we talk about corruption. But why do you feel guilty unless you have a history of thievery?” he said.
DON'T TRUST 'THIEVES'
Kenyans, he said, should not trust “thieves” to create jobs for the youth and grow the country’s economy.
The Sh7 billion Mars Wrigley Confectioneries plant in Athi River was officially opened by Trade Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya and Mr McCarter.
“This (the investment) is a testament of my government's commitment to create an enabling environment for all investors, big or small, in Machakos County,” Governor Mutua said.
Mars Wrigley manufactures Big G and PK chewing gums.
“These are brands that we buy in supermarkets and in traffic and are now being produced right here in Machakos,” Dr Mutua said.
