President Uhuru Kenyatta has vowed to continue with the war against corruption and impunity and urged the public to join in apprehending perpetrators.
While speaking at a church service at the Faith Evangelistic Ministry church in Karen the President said that, “I have lost close friends over the war on corruption. We must be ready to lose friends and do what is right in the eyes of God.”
He further added saying that, “If we fail to fight impunity we will not achieve our dreams. A time has come for us to fight impunity, no matter how powerful you are, which high office you hold, how much wealth you have, or how many people you know in high positions — that will not save you,”
The president was talking just afew days after the government partially demolished multi-billion-shilling buildings including South End Mall, Ukay Centre, a petrol station and convenience store that were built on riparian land.
It has been estimated that around 4,000 properties are marked for demolition in the ongoing operation to save the Nairobi River.
It is not clear how long the demolitions will take and their cost. Owners are expected to bear part of the cost.
President Kenyatta further announced that officers responsible for the approvals of the affected properties should be arrested and charged terming that the riparian land is public and it is illegal to build there.
The president continued saying that, “We must fight impunity not because we want to destroy for the sake of it. If we do not fight impunity, we will not achieve our goals. For the country to succeed, we must fight corruption and impunity.Let’s develop a nation that has a conscience and one that is driven by God-fearing people.”
“We must begin to judge people by their character and reward them on the basis of what they have achieved for the country, their talents and skills.” he said
The Office of the Director of Prosecutions has however directed the DCI to set up a desk at the Police Headquarters where complainants can file details of the requisite approvals for the illegal buildings.
More than two months ago, the President directed a lifestyle audit of heads of procurement and accounting units in government, however not much has been said about the exercise.
Later yesterday, while addressing a convention in Kisii, Uhuru said the youth have the power to change the leadership structure and fight for their rightful place.
The President further continued saying, “For this country to succeed we must fight corruption; for this country to succeed we must fight impunity and forces that prevent us from achieving our dreams. It doesn’t matter if you know the President or a minister. That should not be what makes us human beings. We should be ready to judge ourselves by our character. “We must fight all forces that prevent us from achieving our dreams,”
The President was hosted by FEM Family Church founder, Evangelist Teresia Wairimu, for the service which marked the beginning of a week-long conference.
Both Bishop Clarence McClendon who delivered the sermon and Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke, who addressed the faithful through video-link, described Kenya as a great country that is on the right path of development.