Kenya Governors' new course of action to tame corruption in counties

Rogue contractors will no longer do business with devolved units as governors join President Uhuru Kenyatta in stemming corruption.

The Council of Governors (CoG) yesterday announced a raft of measures, including blacklisting corrupt contractors and establishment of county courts, in fighting the scourge that the Head of State has declared a threat to  national security.

"We have agreed among ourselves to join the Presidency in the fight against corruption by implementing the recommendations of the presidential task force report on county responsibilities on licensing, revenue collection and capacity building," said a statement read by CoG Chairman Peter Munya.

Resonating with the spirit of International Anti-Corruption Day marked yesterday, the county bosses expressed their commitment to fighting graft.

"Counties are developing their own list of corrupt contractors and sharing with other counties to ensure that no contractor blacklisted in one county moves to the other," read the statement.

The governors also plan to establish county courts and registries to deal with corruption cases in the devolved units.

The initiative, they said, will also ensure accessibility of judicial services at the county level and the enforcement of county laws.

Mr Munya said they have held talks with Chief Justice Willy Mutunga over the formation of the courts.

The council further expressed their commitment to implementing the use of the Integrated Financial Management System to ensure an accurate tracking system of procurement and expenditure.

The governors admitted that the scourge had found its way into the counties, saying corruption is a threat to democracy and the rule of law and subsequently resulting in organised crime and terrorism.

Munya, who is also Meru Governor, said the county governments would also work with national government institutions but warned against infringing on the counties' mandate.

Residents’ uproar

"...institutions such as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, Kenya National Audit Office and the Controller of Budget to provide external oversight mechanisms for counties' expenditure without infringing on the county governments mandate by respecting article 6 of the Constitution," he added.

The governors also said they would establish county oversight institutions to boost the war against graft.

The leaders said establishing County Public Accounts Committees and internal audit offices will ensure transparency and accountability on the county expenditures.

Like the national government, counties have been hit by rampant corruption claims with reports of inflated prices of goods and services being the order of the day. In September, for instance, there was uproar after it emerged that Bungoma County had bought 10 wheelbarrows at Sh1 million, each going for Sh109,302.