For many years, there have been calls to declare corruption a national disaster in Kenya.
Last week we saw the head of state reshuffling his cabinet and sacking one of the cabinet secretary in what he said is war against graft.
However,Siaya Governor Cornel Rasanga revealed that he can’t dismiss corrupt county officials, The Star reports.
While speaking at a public participation forum in Siaya, Rasanga stated that some of those who are mentioned in corruption scandals are his allies.
As such, it’s hard to dismiss them since he might need their votes when he is contesting for another seat in future.
The second-term governor further stated the corrupt employees have dependants who might suffer if they are sacked.
“What do I do? I cannot sack them since they are my people and some have families to raise,” Rasanga explained.
“The level of corruption in Public Works has made me fear to visit the place,” he added.
Rasanga claimed that some county employees had put themselves in compromising situations by running private ventures.
He explained they were hampering service delivery because of the conflict of interest because of awarding tenders to their companies or contractors who don’t have the capacity to execute them.
The governor stated that the county had introduced a new electronic tendering system to seal corruption loopholes. The county will educate locals on the new system so that they can bid for tenders.
He also revealed that he was afraid of visiting some county departments because of the levels of corruption.