Uhuru: Corruption war not targeting individuals, communities

President Uhuru Kenyatta at a past event. [File]

President Uhuru Kenyatta has once again reiterated his stand on the fight against corruption and urged citizens to allow agencies to deal with culprits involved.

“This (corruption) is not a war against individuals or communities, it is a war against a crime that robs us the opportunity to build a nation with shared prosperity for all,” he said.

Speaking during the 6^th Devolution Conference in Kirinyaga, the Head of State said the corruption debate had been taken to funeral and wedding ceremonies instead of allowing agencies tasked to deal with it do their job.

“Don’t threaten people at funerals. The dead will not help you. The only place where you can get help is at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI),” he stated, to which the crowd applauded.

Uhuru went on: “Report corrupt individuals, even if it is me, walk to the Directorate Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers along Kiambu Road and report…what/who do you fear? If you are arrested you will have a chance to defend yourself. If people do not stop attacking you, get your lawyer and go to court.”

The tough-talking Uhuru said all those responsible will be held accountable, but they will have a chance to tell their end of the story.

Uhuru earlier met governors at the summit, where they agreed that there is a need to discuss appropriate use of taxes to improve development in the counties and nationally.

The President said 52 per cent of revenue collected from taxpayers is channelled towards salaries.  Thirty per cent goes to recurrent expenditure. “The statistics are unfortunate and the problem is spread across the country,” Uhuru said.

He added that there is a proactive programme in place for the prevention of graft as well as asset recovery that will guard the public purse.

“The plan will ensure those who have benefited from the proceeds of economic crime surrender their ill-gotten gains,” he said.