The USA ambassador to Kenya has warned Kenya against overborrowing and depending too much on foreign aid while doing little to curb corruption in the country.
Speaking on Thursday at Intercontinental Hotel in Nairobi when he officially opened the Annual Media Summit, Ambassador Kyle McCarter said that Kenya has failed in the war on corruption, He urged media houses to be on the front line in fighting the menace.
“Allow me to talk like a politician because I have been a Senator in America for many years. Kenya is a country capable of growing economically only if the theft of public money and resources are dealt with” he said.
McCarter wondered how the government has continued borrowing and depending on foreign aids when the borrowed money ends up in the pockets of greedy politicians.
“You are so fortunate as Kenyans for having readily available raw materials and the required manpower from well-trained youths. Unfortunately, there are no ongoing developments and you have continued depending on relief from stakeholders” he added
Komeni kutegemea misaada na kuwa walafi, Amerika yaikemea Kenya https://t.co/dMSz7HRUkc pic.twitter.com/jcjgQHCiAX
— Taifa Leo (@Taifa_Leo) August 9, 2019
The Ambassador urged the media to act as the society’s watchdog bringing into public limelight bad governance through exposing corruption saying this will help the country fight against the escalating rate of corruption.
“I want to categorically state that as the government of USA together with Canada, we are here to stand in solidarity with the Kenyan journalists who might get tortured for exposing this rot. It is only the truth that will make the Kenyan leaders and other heads of government institutions to wake up and fight this thing” said the Ambassador
This year’s Annual Media Summit is about democracy and good governance in Kenya. It also touches on Media Viability in Kenya and also steps to comprehend media management in a changing environment.