By NATION TEAM, newsdesk@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Tuesday, November 2 2010 at 22:05
The two principals on Tuesday cranked up the pressure on corrupt government officials, with President Kibaki warning those taking bribes that they will be sacked.
Mr Kibaki, who is required by law to relinquish power at the next election, appears keen to build a legacy of clean government.
Prime Minister Raila Odinga expressed the government’s determination to confront the “dragon called corruption”.
Kenyans should not forgive or feel sorry for those punished for misusing public resources, the President said, adding: “Let us not have people who will seek to swindle the government. Such people shouldn’t be alive because the government uses public money.”
The two leaders were speaking when the President opened an infrastructure conference at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre.
“There is no need to have any mercy on a fellow who is trying to swindle us,” Mr Kibaki said. “A person who plans to misuse public funds must not be allowed to continue working in Government. We must deal with those who want to embezzle public money... we will sack such fellows. Those who want to continue working on ways to steal public money should go home and let the new crop of professionals develop the country.”
The remarks came only days after Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetang’ula and his permanent secretary, Mr Thuita Mwangi, stepped aside to clear the way for investigations into what Parliament claims to be a series of scandals in which the public lost billions of shillings.
Mr Kibaki suspended Higher Education minister William Ruto after a Constitutional Court ordered that he stands trial for fraud.
Mudavadi cleared
The mayor of Nairobi, Mr Geophrey Majiwa, is being tried in connection with the Sh283 billion purchase of a cemetery for the city. The overpriced land bought in Athi River was unsuitable for graves.
Water and Irrigation Minister Charity Ngilu and Local Government Minister Musalia Mudavadi have also been facing pressure from some MPs to step aside over alleged irregularities in their ministries. A parliamentary committee on Tuesday said it had cleared Mr Mudavadi.
Mr Odinga said corruption in the infrastructure industry diverts government funds to private hands. He asked the public to report legitimate cases of corruption to relevant authorities.
Mr Kibaki told institutions in charge of engineers, architects, surveyors and planners to develop strict codes of registration and ensure members adhered to standards.
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