Donors promise support for war against corruption in Kenya

Development partners have pledged to support the Government of Kenya in the fight against corruption.

The Development Partners Group (DPG) led by Director, Africa Development Fund Gabriel Negatu and German Ambassador to Kenya Jutta Frasch, said the fight against corruption would be won through collective responsibility.

They praised the steps being taken by the Government in containing the vice, which they said threatens the development of the country.

"DPG is encouraged by the deliberate actions made by the Government including the establishment of a multi-agency framework on corruption," said Mrs Frasch.

They said the increased funding to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the record number of prosecutions of persons accused of corruption was a clear demonstration that the Government had declared war on the vice.

The DPG made the remarks during the 9th Development Partnership Forum on Youth Employment held at the official residence of Deputy President William Ruto in Karen, Nairobi on Tuesday.

Mr Ruto said the fight against corruption had been intensified and warned that public officers found engaging in corruption would be dealt with in accordance with the law.

"I want to make it clear that civil servants will be held responsible for misuse or wastage of public resources in areas under their jurisdiction," he said.

The Deputy President, who chaired the meeting, said corruption had the potential of undermining all efforts to achieve development in the country.

"The Government has established a multi-agency team comprising the EACC, office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and Directorate of Criminal Investigations among others to deal with this cancer of corruption," said Mr. Ruto. President Kenyatta, he added, would in the next two weeks meet with development partners to discuss the progress in the fight against corruption.