Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) chief executive officer Twalib Mbarak has warned Kenyans against blaming anti-corruption institutions for the runaway corruption in the country.
Addressing journalists on Tuesday, April 12, the EACC boss said Kenyans should blame themselves for the rampant corruption in the country.
While distancing anti-graft agencies from the skyrocketing graft at both National and County governments, Mbarak indicated that the Kenyan voters had formed a routine of electing individuals they know have been implicated in corrupt dealings
“Why do we have some characters who members of the public know have been red-flagged, and they expect them to offer good leadership? Then, when those guys start stealing across the country, every county becomes a mess except for a few, and then you say EACC is not working,
“Why can’t the people say that these people have been red-flagged by the EACC let us not vote for them. Judiciary is innocent, IEBC is innocent, and other constitutional institutions are innocent. The major problem is the public because we have reached a stage where we glorify crooks,” Twalib said.
Mbarak urged voters to study the rate at which Kenyans in both private and public institutions were quitting well-paying jobs to seek elective posts.
His sentiments come barely 118 days to the August 9, General Election where registered voters will be expected to vote for their preferred candidates.
Last week, Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta called on Kenyans to scale up the fight against corruption saying the soul of the nation depends on it.
Uhuru who was speaking at State House where he witnessed the ceremonial handing over of KSh 450 million repatriated Jersey urged ordinary Kenyans to work hand in hand with anti-graft agencies to fight the noble war.
“We must all work together, that is all arms of the government, the business community, media, religious institutions, non-governmental organizations, and the ordinary Kenyans to fight this noble war,” Uhuru said.
