Is Uhuru fighting corruption and supporting the big fish ?
Kenya is suspected to have lost more than $600 million (more than Sh50 billion) in the Anglo Leasing scam. The money was lost in 18 security-related contracts awarded to companies that did not render services or deliver goods paid for.
And this is why President Uhuru’s appointment was not taken positively by a majority of Kenyans as they were left wondering why the nonagenarian Moody Awori is still being offered an opportunity in the government and in a country full of able young people who would do a much better job.
However in defense , President Uhuru Kenyatta has said his appointing of the former Vice President Moody Awori to an oversight board to manage the Sports, Art and Social Development Fund as part of a seven-member board gazetted by Finance Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich to manage the Fund formerly known as the National Sports Fund, was a result of the massive theft in the government been witnessed.
What a lame excuse! @UKenyatta ?
— Naomi Wangui (@nayomikui) December 6, 2018
“I have been criticized about appointing a 91 year old for arts and culture, if you were in my shoes what would you do when you see money being stolen left right and center?” the president posed.
“Pesa ni yenu ya afya, ya culture, ya arts… sasa mnataka twende na tumeona vile watu wakipewa kazi kama hiyo vile wanaenda kufanya fanya, si afahali tupatie huyo mzee hiyo pesa ndio iwarudie? ahh, watu waniwache bana sitaki mambo mingi.” (You have seen how people act when they get such jobs, I would rather give the old man the job and the money still gets to you. Ahh, people should leave me alone!)
What kenyans are yet to forget however is one of the largest corruption scandal in the history of in Kenya called the Anglo Leasing scandal.
Top officials in former President Mwai Kibaki’s government who were adversely mentioned in the Anglo Leasing scandal included the former Vice-President Moody Awori, former Internal Security minister Chris Murungaru and former Finance minister David Mwiraria.
More than $2 million (about Sh201 million), suspected to be proceeds of corruption in Kenya, remains frozen in Swiss bank accounts as part of the effort to recover and repatriate stolen funds. The money is linked to the multi-billion Anglo leasing scam.
President Uhuru’s effort to fight corruption have thus been challenged by the appointment of the former vice president even as the country has heavily invested in the security organs mandated to oversee the use of public funds.
The President said he wants young people who are making money the right way.
“Success in business and being a successful entrepreneur is not how fast you make money, don’t be fast to make money because that results in your taking shortcuts which tomorrow you will regret in life,” said Mr. Kenyatta.
“It is being dedicated in what you do, providing good service at the right price and moving away from this culture that we have in Kenya of tender-prenuers to entrepreneurs. People who earn because of the sweat of their brow and we want to support you in that.”
The Sports, Art and Social Development Fund which is made up of five Principal Secretaries from the Ministries of Education, Arts, Health, National Treasury and Sports will be working alongside Athletics Kenya boss Lieutenant General (RTD) Jackson Tuwei and Mr. Awori.
Their key roles will be managing the fund, preparing and submitting quarterly reports to the Finance CS.