Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu has urged President Uhuru Kenyatta to slow down in the war against corruption as it was victimising some communities.
Referring to “his tribesmen in Rift Valley”, Waititu expressed concerns that some people from the Central Region living in the Rift Valley could fall in the government surge to expose and charge corrupt individuals.
“We should proceed together as one team even in the war against graft; we should exercise caution because (of) our people are in Rift Valley and they could be disadvantaged if some of the communities’ influential people are victimised,” he argued.
The county head was speaking at the burial of a Murang’a tycoon Thayu Kamau at Gitui village, where he warned that the war on corruption could affect the relationship between the two communities (Kikuyu and Kalenjin) who had a cordial relationship.
Raila Odinga, who was present at the event, dismissed Waititu’s fears maintaining that tribal threats resulting in blackmail and intimidation would not be tolerated as the government embarks on the graft purge.
“Mr Waititu, you should not be intimidated and blackmailed. We won’t be cowed on such threats if we want to fight and eliminate corruption but we must remain steadfast and take the looters to jail where they deserve,” he explained.
He explained that all 42 tribes in the country had equal rights and corrupt individuals only sought to enrich themselves and not for the society.
Echoing Raila’s sentiments was President Uhuru Kenyatta who affirmed that nobody would be spared as influential people would be arrested and charged for their crimes.
“I have cleansed directorates of Public Prosecutions and the Criminal Investigations are on the right track on the war against corruption.
He further urged the Judiciary to expedite corruption cases, “Judiciary must know that Kenyans are watching closely on how they handle corruption cases, we want them to fast-track the cases just the way they did to the man who stole his child from the hospital.”