President told to refresh war on corruption

By Kepher Otieno

Civil society groups and various leaders have challenged President Kibaki to stop reneging on his commitment to stamp out corruption.

They said Kibaki took over power from former President Moi because of his spirited fight against corruption.

NGOs Council Executive Director George Adhanja said the war would not be won if the institution of presidency does not express honest commitment to deal with the vice.

"He (Kibaki) must sacrifice his lieutenants implicated in graft and restore sanity in management of the country’s affairs," Mr Adhanja said.

Several civil society organisations echoed the sentiments. Joshua Nyamori, chairman Nyanza Youth Coalition, said corruption had hampered smooth implementation of development projects.

Director of Serve Ministries, a Christian-based international organisation, said corruption had dented the country’s image internationally.

Epithets of shame

"It is time the President and the PM united to fight graft without pulling parallel," he said.

"We demand that the institution of the presidency shows strong commitment to the fight against graft to spare Kenya the epithets of shame in the eyes of the international community," said Adhanja.

The NGOs lauded the move by Raila’s PS Mohamed Isahakia and Administrative Secretary Caroli Omondi to step aside after they were indicted in the maize scandal.

They asked Education Minister Sam Ongeri and Agriculture’s William Ruto to do the same to allow proper investigation into the cases.

The leaders addressed Media in Kisumu yesterday. A member of the Luo Council of Elders Odungi Randa said it was wrong for Kibaki to protect suspected corrupt individuals in his troubled Government.