Corruption is fighting back and suspects are ridiculing the president war on the vice, says Kagwe

Former Nyeri Senator Mutahi Kagwe at point blank show at KTN NEWS on 18/3/19 [Beverlyne Musili/Standard]

A former Cabinet minister has called on Government officials mentioned in corruption cases to step aside.

Mutahi Kagwe, the former Information and Communications minister, said by clinging to their posts, persons named in graft scandals were exposing President Uhuru Kenyatta to ridicule. 

Speaking yesterday night during an interview with Tony Gachoka on KTN News' Point Blank show,  the former lawmaker said corruption cartels were fighting back in the ongoing war against the vice.

Mr Kagwe said the handshake between Uhuru and Opposition leader Raila Odinga on March 9 last year had intensified the war on graft. He argued that those against the handshake were also against the fight on corruption.

“Without the handshake, you would not be seeing the current fight on corruption. Raila has put in some fire,” he said. 

The former minister said top officials adversely mentioned in corruption investigations undermined public trust in high offices and pointed to attempts to compromise investigations.

“It should be understood that the concept of stepping aside does not mean being guilty, you will be allowed back once you are cleared,” said Kagwe.

“When you get accused to the extent of damaging the stand of the President, that is when you should step aside,” he said.

Presidential appointments

He argued that the Presidents' hands were tied when it comes to appointments, recalling an instance when President Mwai Kibaki defended his choice of Cabinet minister.

“Kibaki said ‘I can only work with leaders I have been given by the people,” he said.

Kagwe cited the case to demonstrate how direct presidential elections encouraged corruption by pushing the President to appoint some people with questionable credentials. 

Asked if President Uhuru Kenyatta needed to be defended from attacks by those believed to be undermining corruption, Kagwe said the President only needed support.

“Uhuru has no guilt to be defended. We need to support, fund and strengthen structures engaged in the fight against corruption. Those in charge should be well remunerated to prevent them from getting compromised,” he said

He praised the parliamentary system as free from bribery that has often been associated with Kenyan elections where contestants influence voters using money and gifts.

“In proportional representation, you don’t have to bribe. Elections are held and you vote for the party,” he argued.

Kagwe spoke on the need to review the Constitution to eliminate presidential system of government that he accused of dividing Kenyans along ethnic lines.

He said the presidential system had failed and should be replaced with a parliamentary one; created through proportional representation where Members of Parliament run in constituency based elections and the party with the largest number forms government.

“We have to follow the model of South Africa which has superior model of proportional representation. It means a vote in Nairobi has the same value as a vote in Isiolo,” said Kagwe.

Kagwe said since independence, Kenya has degenerated into a deeply divided country due to intense competition among politicians for presidency.

“Pre-independent Kenya was fairly united. There was rare reference to tribe. That is why Jaramogi Oginga Odinga could not accept to form a government until Jomo Kenyatta was released from prison,” said Kagwe.

Paradigm shift

He said a paradigm shift through constitutional amendment to overhaul the presidency was necessary to prevent post-election violence in future. 

“I think the presidential system was not meant for Kenya. It has divided Kenyans as people believe that for one to be president, he must come from their community,” he argued.

“History has taught us that except in 2002, there were chaos and economic downfall as a consequence. We need to change the Constitution for stability to end chaos that happen every five year,” said Kagwe.

Kagwe also advocated for reduction of representatives in national and county governments to reduce the wage bill that he argued was burdening the taxpayers. 

Kagwe said corruption was deeply entrenched in nearly all institutions in the country and addressing it was difficult since the graft cartels were fighting back.

The former Nyeri senator said many institutions, including religious ones that should be the champions of transparency, were victims of the vice, making it a complex fight.

“The Government should never underestimate corruption fighting back,” said Kagwe.

Kagwe said corruption could destroy the country as its agents fleece the nation of its resources and the ‘get rich quick’ mentality infects the minds of many Kenyans.