Public sector yearning for radical reforms

President Uhuru Kenyatta recently announced the appointment of former Vice President Moody Awori to head the Youth Sports Fund. Mr Awori is 91 years old, while the formal definition of “youth” in Kenya puts an upper limit of 35 years. Following criticism from the public, Kenyatta argued that the appointment of Awori was motivated by the need to shield the fund from thieving younger appointees. This is stunning.

Uhuru admitted that his administration – from the Treasury through to the Police Service – are not in a position to stop corruption in the public sector. Forget the Integrated Financial Management System, forget all the money we are spending on the EACC, forget the Directorate of Criminal Investigations. All that is wasted money. Most publiccommentary focused on the irony of Awori’s appointment to head an outfit catering to the youth. Many of the criticisms focused on opportunity, arguing the president should not be rewarding individuals who have been part of the public sectorsince independence; but should instead give opportunities to the youth.