Hold to account those culpable in the Sh1.5b Ruaraka land debacle

In recent weeks, the Jubilee administration has demonstrated tenacity in the fight against corruption — the biggest dent on its scorecard.

The renewed war, buoyed by the March 9 handshake, has seen arrests and prosecution of individuals who previously outfoxed the justice system.

Admittedly, graft has stretched out the public thin to a point that giving up is becoming an option. On Friday, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations revealed it was probing a Sh150 billion scam at Kenya Power.

The same day, the High Court found that Kenyans had lost billions of shillings after the National Lands Commission misled the Education ministry to release Sh1.5 billion for land in Ruaraka which was already public property.

Justices Bernard Eboso, Elijah Obaga and Kossy Bor of the Environment and Land Court said the 13.5-acre land where Ruaraka High School and Drive Inn Primary School were built is public land.

The ruling brought to an end a dispute between businessman Francis Mburu and the State over who owns the land. It seems that Kenyans are now used to mega scandals. So prevalent is corruption that theft of a billion shillings looks normal. A cursory look at recent reports for counties and national government by Auditor General Edward Ouko speaks to the crisis.

We urge President Uhuru Kenyatta and the relevant state agencies to ensure that those who loot the public purse face dire consequences. Tough talk without action will be misconstrued to mean giving up or postponing action.

An upbeat President insists there will not be sacred cows in the renewed onslaught. If so, those culpable in the Ruaraka land debacle, their positions notwithstanding, must be made to face the full force of the law. However, no one innocent person should be subjected to witch-hunt in the name of fighting corruption.

In the latest Corruption Perception Index, Kenya scored 28 out of 100, 4 points short of the average for Africa states – an indicator that more needs to be done to stem graft. When all is said and done, the President should remember that Kenyans expect him to turn his words into action. A lot is at stake.