Ruto: War on corruption should not be used to fight individuals

Deputy President William Ruto and Kisumu Archbishop Rev Philip Anyolo during ther Lenten Campaign National Launch at Archidiocese of Nyeri Cathredral grounds. [REBECCA NDUKU/DPPS]

Deputy President William Ruto has said the fight against corruption must be fair and not skewed to demonise certain individuals for vested political interests.

Ruto challenged state agencies responsible for investigating and prosecuting corruption cases including Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to ensure fairness and transparency in the war on graft.

He said sensationalising the fight against corruption through distortions and peddling of inaccuracies will not yield desired results.

“We are committed as a Government to win the war on corruption and we will do so if we distinguish between fight against corruption and politics of corruption. Distortions, political hatred, peddling of falsehoods and exaggeration targeting media headlines is in itself corruption,” said Ruto.

He spoke yesterday at Kitwii Boys Primary School grounds in Kangundo after attending a Sunday Mass at St Martin’s Catholic Church.

Instead, Ruto said, objective war on graft must be pursued on the basis of accurate information and solid evidence to nail culprits who perpetrate the vice.

He asked Kenyans to stand up against those peddling falsehoods.

The DP, who has been embroiled in a fierce war of words with opposition leader Raila Odinga, said he would continue contributing to church fundraisers and donating cash to other charities.

“I know some people are not happy when we are building churches because they believe in witchcraft, magicians and those who worship evil spirits, but that will not stop us,” he said.

On matters development, Ruto said the National Government had set aside Sh700 million towards funding a rural electrification programme in Machakos County in the current financial year.

“This allocation will see some 20,000 new connections to the national grid in order to ensure more residents gain access to electricity,” he said.

The DP said construction of Thwake multipurpose dam, which is set to be the largest man made water reservoir in East and Central Africa upon completion, had kicked off after successful compensation to people displaced by the project.

“The Government is also in the process constructing 200 kilometres of tarmac roads across Machakos County and has also set aside funds for the completion of Kenya Medical Training College, Kangundo campus.” he said.

MPs who accompanied the DP defended his generosity to churches and urged Raila to stop undermining him.

“There are people who are scared of the decision by the Deputy President to support churches across the country and we are telling them to leave Ruto alone,” said Kitui East MP Nimrod Mbai.