Uhuru takes on corruption as Kenya turns 50

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday marked Kenya’s 50th birthday with a fresh declaration of war on corruption, which he identified as the biggest obstacle to progress in the country.

Warning that there is no longer ‘‘mali ya umma’’ (Kiswahili phrase meaning wealth that belongs to no individual), Mr Kenyatta directed the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission to prosecute any public official involved in the vice of corruption.

The ‘‘mali ya umma’’ phrase has been blamed for rampant looting of public resources on the understanding that it belonged to no one.

“The newly-reconstituted Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission must investigate and bring to book all those involved in corruption,” the President said even as he cautioned Kenyans against paying bribes or participating in corrupt activities.

Mr Kenyatta, who addressed the nation from Safaricom Stadium Kasarani, promised Kenyans good governance based on the principles established in the Constitution.

“I pledge to adhere to good governance and the rule of law and all leaders must be ready to be held accountable for their action,” said Mr Kenyatta, insisting that public officers will not be allowed to use their offices to acquire illicit wealth.

Kenya, he added, had lost many opportunities for growth in the last 50 years as a result of selfishness, bad politics, ethnicity and corruption, including multi-billion- shilling scams.

The list of mega scams includes Goldenberg, which dates back to 1990 and involved the alleged exportation of gold and jewellery and in which the country is estimated to have lost about Sh100 billion.

Over the years, not only have the suspected architects been absolved of wrong doing, but the money was never recovered.

Another scandal, Anglo-Leasing, is said to have cost the taxpayers about Sh60 billion through 18 dubious security sector related schemes hatched between 1998 and 2004.

The scams, including the controversial purchase of a naval ship from Spanish builders, were plotted during former President Moi’s reign and later adopted by the Kibaki government.

Mr Kenyatta also outlined measures that his government is taking to expand and grow the economy, warning politicians who are inciting communities to rise up against investors notably in oil and mineral exploitation.

“I want to warn those inciting local population to violence in areas of these discoveries that the government will use the full force of law. Legitimate concerns should be resolved peacefully since we don’t want to delay benefits that we all should enjoy,” he said. 

The discovery of coal, oil and other minerals of commercial value, he said, was an opportunity for Kenya to exploit them in order to grow the economy,” the President said.

The President’s remarks were in reference to the recent protests in Turkana County that forced the British oil explorer, Tullow Oil, to suspend its activities for about two weeks. Turkana residents and their leaders took to the streets to agitate for more jobs and money from the oil firm.

Tullow, which has to date announced five successive oil finds, only resumed operations after striking a deal with the government and the protesters promising to meet their demands. The firm has operations on five blocks including 10A, 10BA, 10BB, 13T, 12A and 12B.

President Kenyatta also said the government is working on policies to guide exploitation of minerals in order to avoid pitfalls such as conflict and wars that have befallen mineral-rich countries such as Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola. A key facet in the policy would be ensuring that the resources benefit local communities through collaboration with county governments.

Describing counties as new centres of growth, the President asked governors to attract local and international investments to their counties to speed up growth.

“I am very impressed by some initiatives taken by counties to attract investors and mobilise local investments. Kenyans should invest in their counties since this will ensure job creation for the youth,” Mr Kenyatta said.

Counties such as Embu, Kajiado, Machakos, Meru and Nyeri have in recent months held investor forums where investors, both local and international, have pledge nearly $2 trillion in project finance.

Murang’a county has also started an initiative to empower locals to invest in the county through the Murang’a Investments Co-operative.

To expedite regional integration, President Kenyatta said citizens of other African countries visiting Kenya could apply for a visa on arrival, allowing them to stay for up to six months. 

The visitors, however, should not have a criminal record or intention. “In order to champion free movement of persons in the continent, any African passport holder will obtain visa on arrival to Kenya based on principal of reciprocity,” he said.

The move follows the introduction of a single tourist visa to Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda which was agreed under a protocol signed in June. This model replaces national visas that are currently in use across the three countries.

“We will sustain and enhance the momentum for deeper investment in intra-Africa trade. Kenya is ready to partner with any country on continental integration,” the President announced.

The single tourist visas are due to take effect in less than one month, meaning tourists will now use the document  – which currently costs $100 (Sh8,600) -  to visit any tourist facilities in the three countries.

Kenya charges about £30 (Sh4, 000) for single-entry business or tourism visa and Sh8, 000 for multiple entry visas.