Raila decries tribalism and graft in Civil Service

By Luke Anami

Tribalism and corruption are undermining delivery of services in the Public Service, Prime Minister Raila Odinga has said.

The Prime Minister urged Kenyans to be vigilant and reject the vices.

"Nepotism and tribalism are the new monsters we have to deal with in the Public Service," Raila said during the official opening of the Public Service week at Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) yon Tuesday.

"We are keen to create a government that all communities feel they are part of. This can only be achieved through competitive hiring," Raila said.

The PM added: "The public have a right to demand quality services and civil servants who fail to deliver will be shoved aside."

He singled out the Ministry of Lands, which he said has many idlers in the names of "brokers and bogus agents", a fact he said is a recipe for corruption.

He called for action to rid the ministry of such elements.

Raila also criticised corrupt police officers for abetting crime and demanding bribes.

Give credit

"The public should not bribe police. Corrupt police who reap where they did not sow should mend their ways and change or perish," he warned.

But he cautioned that not all public servants are corrupt and urged the public to give credit where it is due.

Citing the Government need to deliver quality service, Raila spelt out Government efforts in ensuring corruption-free procurement and tendering systems and processes.

The Prime Minister said: "We have directed the Public Procurement Oversight Authority to begin monthly publication of all public tenders, with details of tender sums and winners of tenders.

"Details of delayed projects should also be made public, including names of contractors and cost over runs."

Gender balance

He asked Kenyans to take advantage of the Public Service Week to interact with public officers in a two-way communication between the Government and citizens.

Echoing Raila’s sentiments, the Minister for Public Service Dalmas Otieno said there was also need to ensure gender balance in the Civil Service.