Deeds, not words, count in the fight against corruption-Envoys

A directive on new currency will expose the corrupt who have been hiding cash outside the financial system, envoys from 24 countries have said as they asked President Uhuru Kenyatta to act tough.

The envoys issued the statement with representatives of the European Union (EU) and United Nations (UN) in Nairobi yesterday.

"Furthermore, we support the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) in its efforts to implement international money laundering regulations,” the envoys said.

 The agents recalled last week’s National Prayer Breakfast focus on a “New Dawn” for Kenya – one without corruption, as they demanded for concrete actions to end graft. 

 “This is commendable. However, deeds, not words, count in the fight against corruption,” they said. 

 They urged that the needs and aspirations of the Kenyan citizens must be taken seriously through decisive action on the national undoing.

 “As international partners we fully support this demand. Corruption and impunity create social distortions and divisions; they fuel inequity and poverty; they destroy the fabric of society and hamper long-term development. Corruption distorts elections,” the envoys said. 

 They reiterated that corruption continues to negatively affect Kenya’s business climate leading foreign investors and traders to shy away from the country.

They advised that a corrupt-free country would stand firmly on the path to prosperity, universal health care, food security, education for all, vocational training for young people and a better life for all. 

They reminded that if Kenya succeeded in its anti-corruption efforts, the estimated one third of the annual budget that is lost to graft would be sufficient to fund country’s ambitious Big Four Agenda.

They called on Kenyans to stay put in the fight against graft and for heads to roll.

“Those facing corruption charges, including civil servants, should step aside from their official positions until their judicial cases have been concluded,” the envoys said. "Complacency is not an option."

They want money obtained through thievery recovered and culprits serve jail terms for the process to come full circle.