Kibaki urges Kenyans to join graft war

President Kibaki during a meeting with members of the National Anti-Corruption Campaign steering committee led by Archbishop Eliud Wabukala (right) at Harambee House, Nairobi March 1, 2011. He urged Kenyans to join government in a sustained effort to fight corruption to make Kenya a graft-free society. PPS  

By PPSPosted Tuesday, March 1 2011 at 15:47

President Kibaki has urged Kenyans to join government in a sustained effort to fight corruption to make Kenya a graft-free society.

Sating corruption is a big impediment to achieving the country’s development goals as outlined in Vision 2030, President Kibaki said Kenyans should actively take part in curbing the vice.

“The war against graft should be all-inclusive. All Kenyans are, therefore, called upon to play a role in eliminating this vice,” President Kibaki said during a meeting with members of the National Anti-Corruption Campaign Steering Committee at his Harambee House office Tuesday.

President Kibaki expressed confidence that MPs will show patriotism and speedily pass all Bills geared towards boosting the fight against graft once they are tabled in Parliament.

The President also assured the Committee, chaired by ACK Archbishop Eliud Wabukala, that his government will remain steadfast in supporting the activities of the committee.

Archbishop Wabukala said his committee has already established anti-corruption oversight committees in 17 counties and plans are underway to ensure each of the remaining 30 counties have an anti-corruption oversight committee before the end of next year.

Archbishop Wabukala added that his committee will continue working with other organisations to sensitize locals on the dangers of corruption.

“We are involving wananchi (locals) at the grassroots level because we want the efforts to curb graft to be widespread. We also want Kenyans to treat the vice with the contempt it deserves,” Archibishop Wabukala said.

Speaking during the meeting, Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (Kacc) Director Patrick Lumumba said graft should be dealt with firmly to address unemployment and security in the country.

Prof Lumumba said the long-term health of the country requires teamwork and attitude change to embrace the fight against corruption.

Other Speakers included Internal Security minister George Saitoti and Justice Permanent Secretary Amina Mohamed among others.