My government will have no mercy for corrupt public officers, says Uhuru Kenyatta

President Uhuru Kenyatta has retaliated his government’s commitment in slaying the dragon of corruption, saying the resolve is unstoppable.

Addressing wananchi at Juja trading centre after attending celebrations to mark 20 years of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture, Science and Technology (JKUAT), the President said his administration will have no mercy on corrupt public officers.

He said no one will be indispensable in the fight against corruption adding all those implicated will have to leave government and face the full force of the law.

“We are in a new era where every public officer must be accountable. Public money is meant for the public and not individuals. The government will do all it can to reign on corruption,” Kenyatta said.

He said corruption was the biggest impediment to development and all efforts must be directed at ending the vice.

The Head of State called on public officers to respect the public by ensuring they take care of resources entrusted under their care.

“It is the high time every public servant should know that the money they are controlling is not theirs but holding it in trust for the people and therefore the need to use it prudently and be accountable,” he said.

A tough talking President said in swahili, “Mali ya Serikali ni mali ya umma na wananchi. Watu wajue mambo imebadilika. Hata pesa ya kaunti ni mali ya wananchi. Sisi hatubagui kama umetajwa kaa kando ukisafisha jina urudi kazi. Mambo yakienda mrama nenda peke yako. Hio ndio njia pekee ya kubadilisha hii nchi. Kila mtu abebe msalaba wake,” he said (Government property is public property. People must now things have changed. Even county funds belong to Kenyans. I will not discriminate if you have been implicated in corruption you must step aside until you clear your name before you return to office. If you are found guilty you will go alone. This is the only way to change the country. Everybody must carry their cross)

He told officials in government and county government implicated in corruption to step aside to pave way for independent investigations saying they would return to office once they clear their names.

Kiambu Governor William Kabogo commended the President’s directive, terming it as a bold step and one of a kind in the history of Africa. “We will support the President’s effort to eradicate corruption in the country. I call on my fellow governors to embrace his action in order to rid counties of corruption for the benefit of the people,” said Mr Kabogo.

National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale told governors to also be accountable and challenged those mentioned in the EACC report to step aside.