A community activist has lauded President William Ruto’s renewed commitment to fighting corruption, terming it a “positive step in the right direction” and urging Kenyans to support the initiative.
Speaking in Changamwe Sub-County on Monday, Jeremiah Fwamba Simiyu said massive graft in both national and county governments had deprived citizens of essential services and weakened the economy.
“The country has been marred by rampant corruption, denying Kenyans proper and quality public services. Before the nation plunges into an economic crisis, we must unite in curtailing these practices,” Mr Simiyu said.
He criticized county governments for failing to account for progress during the recent Devolution Conference, saying this reflected poor service delivery and possible misuse of resources.
“We foresee major transformation in the fight against graft if the President’s efforts are supported and mandated agencies dedicate themselves fully to battling the vice,” he added.
President Ruto, while unveiling a new multi-agency anti-corruption strategy, vowed that the fight would be relentless.
“This fight against corruption is one of the most difficult tasks I have undertaken, but I am determined to see it through. If you engage in stealing from the public, be prepared to either run out of Kenya or go to jail,” the President warned,”
He further noted: “Corruption, wastage, inefficiency and negligence are serious threats to our transformation agenda. Cases of misconduct shall be dealt with ruthlessly, with finality and expeditiously.”
The new team includes the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP).
However, the High Court has since suspended its implementation, ruling that it duplicates EACC’s constitutional mandate.
