War on graft on course, Mandago

Kisumu, Thursday, May 18, 2023

KNA by Chris Mahandara

President Dr. Willian Ruto has set the precedent to end corruption in the country, Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago has said.

The president’s decision to sack former Health Principal Secretary (PS) Josephine Mburu days after the Sh.3.7 billion anti-mosquito nets scandal emerged at the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency, he said, was a clear indicator of the government’s commitment to fight corruption.

“We are coming from a history of saying we are going to investigate and report back after 30 days. This is why nothing has happened years after the KEMSA heist was uncovered,” he said.

The move, he said, must be cascaded down to all the government departments and agencies to give impetus to the fight against graft in the country.

All Chief Executive Officers, accounting officers, board members and section heads must ensure that corruption is fought at their level to save the government billions of shillings lost through the vice.

The president’s responsibility, he said, was not solely to fight corruption adding that the duty bearers who have been appointed to head different departments must play an active role.

“If all the organisations deal with this matter in the manner the president has done then we shall make a lot of progress,” he said.

Speaking in Kisumu where the Senate Committee on health visited medical facilities, Mandago said corruption in government was not only being assisted by government officers but also individuals who do business with government.

He challenged the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) to join the fight by looping in on their members.

“Let us do genuine business with the government. If you are doing business with the government and making profits of up to 70 per cent then you are part of this problem,” he said.

Courtesy; K.N.A