Uhuru: My Family Should Not be Spared in The Fight Against Corruption

President Uhuru Kenyatta has for the first time said he wants the renewed fight against corruption to be his legacy when he exits office in 2022.

President Uhuru Kenyatta and Donald Trump

In an exclusive interview with the BBC Hard Talk’s Zeinab Badawi, President Kenyatta seemed to put the fight against graft in the same category as his Big Four agenda of universal healthcare, affordable housing, food security, and manufacturing.

“It is something I am committed to do. It is what I want my legacy to be—the fight against corruption, and transparency, and to ensure that the nation’s resources are used in the manner it should be,” he said in the interview, a few hours after he met US President Donald Trump.

He said he had given his all to the fight, and asked the Judiciary to expedite the hearing of the cases, even as he promised more arrests, and prosecutions.

“As a government, as an individual, I am committed to this fight. This is an animal, this beast of corruption, is an animal that we intend to slay. What is remaining now is for our independent judiciary to do its job, and give justice for and on behalf of the people of Kenya,” he said.

While lauding the efforts he said had been done quietly over a long period of time, President Kenyatta said no one should be spared in the renewed war against graft.

“Regardless of who you are, even if you are my own family member, I have said that agencies are free to do their job,” he said.

He also, for the first time, addressed concerns over the lifestyle audit he had ordered in June following complaints, particularly by Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, that the scrutiny should go as far back as the Head of State’s father, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.

“We can even go back to my grandfather, great grandfather. . .  What we own, and what we have is known to the public. If there is an instance where someone can say what we have done is not legitimate, say it, and we are ready to face any court,” he said.

He insisted that the lifestyle audit will go on, and will get to all senior government staff, including himself.Asked if his March 9 handshake with opposition leader Raila Odinga meant a government position for him, President Kenyatta was categorical.

“Why should we create any new position? We work in the purview of the Constitution. But we can partner in terms of development,” he argued.

 

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