Do more to stem corruption, UK leader tells county governments

County governments have a big opportunity to grow the Kenyan economy, but only if they will stem corruption and pursue business-friendly policies.

In an interview with The Standard on Sunday, a visiting Kenyan-British politician Bernard Kim urged the devolved governments to open up their regions to potential investors who will create wealth and employment.

He said more should be done to ensure devolution facilitates wealth creation rather than over reliance on funds from donors and the exchequer.

Kim, who was elected in the 2014 local council elections to become councillor of Forest Hill Ward, Lewisham in South London, regretted that corruption was holding back progress and said more needs to be done by the Jubilee administration to stem pilferage of public resources.

“I laud President Uhuru Kenyatta for taking lead in the fight against corruption but honestly more needs to be done,” he said yesterday.

Terror war

The Labour party politician also urged the government to sustain the war on terrorism, saying terror was a global threat responsible for the loss of lives and opportunities. He said terrorism must not be allowed to erode economic gains made by Kenya.

“What we have in Britain is community policing. The Kenyan model of nyumba kumi, if well implemented, can enhance security at all levels so nothing is left to chance,” he said.

He said citizens should back efforts by security personnel in the fight against insecurity by providing information leading to the arrest of criminal elements.

“In the UK, we have ward assigned police officers and as a result, crime rates are very low. Police and citizens must work together all the time to ensure the country is safe,” Kim added. At the same time, he said the war on illicit brews should continue without fear or favour. Said he: “Already, there is a huge difference. We have started seeing signs of improved health among youths who were lost in alcoholism. We have also seen significant reduction in road accidents.”

Kim, who made history by beating a record 13 candidates to win the influential local council position, says he will be seeking re-election in 2018.

He also plans to mentor other politicians of Kenyan origin to contest elective positions in Westminster in 2020.

Last month, Kim hosted a delegation of MCA’s from Nairobi County who are members of the Budget and Appropriations committee who were on a fact-finding mission in the UK.

He said his office will continue supporting Kenyan counties.