Raila steps up fight against graft

CORD leader Raila Odinga addresses the Press outside Capitol Hill office yesterday. [Photo: BEVERLYNE MUSILI/Standard]

Opposition chief Raila Odinga yesterday stepped up the fight against corruption even as he defended himself against accusations that he is ignoring graft perpetuated by members of his coalition.

"The loss of money in Kilifi is pure theft. The money was wired through Central Bank, the directors of those companies are known and the persons are known. What else do you want the Opposition to do?" questioned Raila.

The raging corruption debate also caught the attention of US Ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec who called on Kenyans to stop corruption.

"I have never been a hypocrite. Theft is theft and can be prosecuted under the penal code. The Jubilee administration controls the police, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and not the Opposition," said Raila.

He said his party had crafted a Bill to be tabled in the National Assembly that seeks to curb corruption in procurement.

The Bill, if passed, shall apply to all public authorities that are procuring services in both national and county governments.

The proposed law states that all invoices for the supply of goods and services must be settled within 30 days of submission to the government and that any questions about an invoice must be raised within the said 30 days and communicated to the supplier in writing before the end of the said period.

Speaking at his private office in Capitol Hill yesterday, Raila said he had warned Kenyans that there is a need to take control of their destiny just as they have done in all the major reforms that have been achieved in Kenya.

Jubilee MPs

Raila challenged the Jubilee MPs to support the Bill and ensure that those who supply goods and services to the Government get paid within one month.

At the same, the US envoy  said his country has been supporting Kenya in her fight against graft and said that he had shared all the information received by his office with Washington and promised that if there was evidence implacating US-based corporations and individuals, action would be taken.

Godec told Kenyans to be committed to the fight against corruption and advised leaders to stop pointing fingers and instead join forces.

"Every Kenyan should refuse to pay a bribe or ask for one. Kenyans should report anyone they see engaging in crooked activity. Everyone must respect the rule of law," said Godec.

"My country is not perfect; we too have struggled with corruption throughout our history. But as we struggle, we strive to focus on the problem. Our answer has been to build strong institutions that ensure the rule of law. I know Kenyans can end the scourge of corruption," said Godec.