Leaders endorse anti-graft war as cases increase

Deputy President William Ruto greets residents of Gilgil, Nakuru, on May 26, 2018. He said corruption should be fought. PHOTO | CHARLES KIMANI | DPPS

What you need to know:

  • Senator Kihika lamented that corruption derails the government's development plans.
  • NYS officials are being investigated over the alleged loss of Sh9 billion through illegal payment to various companies.

Deputy President William Ruto on Saturday issued a stern warning to those involved in corruption.

Mr Ruto said the government will not spare anyone found culpable.

"As a government, we are not going to spare any effort to bring to book all the culprits involved in looting our public institutions.

"We are going to use all means to ensure that the corruption menace is dealt with once and for all," he said in Nakuru West where he was leading fundraising events.

NYS AND NCPB

The Deputy President was referring to the recent spate of scandals that are pummelling the Agriculture and Public Service ministries.

The Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee has summoned Health Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki, Public Service Principal Secretary Lillian Mbogo-Omollo and National Youth Service (NYS) boss Richard Ndubai.

The officials are being investigated over the alleged loss of Sh9 billion at the NYS through illegal payment to various companies.

The NYS is under the Public Service ministry that is headed by Prof Margaret Kobia.

Officials at the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB), managed by the Agriculture ministry, are in the soup over dubious distribution of subsidised fertiliser and maize supplies by farmers to the NCPB.

The NCPB Managing Director Newton Terer resigned following the fiasco.

REFERENDUM

On calls to amend the Constitution, Mr Ruto maintained that it is unnecessary.

He said the Jubilee government's main objective is to unite all Kenyans and cause development.

The DP said that the first peace deal was made by him and President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2013.

"Kenyans have no time for another referendum to create positions for some people.

"We have to realize that this country belongs to 42 million Kenyans and not just for few politicians."

He was accompanied by Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika, MPs Samuel Arama (Nakuru West), David Gikaria (Nakuru Town East) and Kimani Ngunjiri (Bahati) among others.

DEVELOPMENT

Ms Kihika lamented that corruption derails the government's development plans.

"It is annoying that everyday Kenyans get to hear of one corruption scandal after another. The government should be able to bring these culprits to book.

"It is unfair for the NYS money to be looted yet we have so many youth in the country who are unemployed," the lawmaker said.

Mr Arama said all Kenyans should be united in helping the government implement its manifesto.

The leaders pledged to support Mr Ruto's quest for the presidency in 2022.