David Ndii: I told my wife accepting a bribe was grounds for divorce

Economist David Ndii has said that he once assured his wife Mwende Gatabaki that taking a bribe could form grounds for the dissolution of their marriage.

In a social media conversation, a netizen asked Ndii whether he thinks corruption is a bad principle and whether he would advise his wife not to fight corruption if she becomes the governor for Kiambu County.

In his response, Ndii recalled a day that his wife was offered a car if she procures a certain make of cars for her organization.

The economist says that he was against the proposal to bribe his wife into bending procurement laws.

“My wife was offered “assistance” to purchase a car if she bought a particular make (she was procuring about 40 4WDs for her organisation). I assured her accepting the bribe was grounds for divorce. I don’t preach what I practice,” David Ndii said.

"I also pay bribes, but I don’t accept," he said.

He further admitted to associating with politicians with questionable characters and has no problem with other people's corruption.

"Yes I associate with venal politicians. It's either that or you don’t participate in politics. I am not in politics to make friends," he said.

His wife Mwende Gatabaki, who is contesting for the Kiambu gubernatorial seat identifies corruption and conflict of interest as a hindrance to dealing with the alcohol menace in the county.

“There is an issue of having some of the leaders also being suppliers. Then there is a conflict of interest… leaders are also suppliers, managing it becomes an issue,” Gatabaki said during a debate on Citizen TV on Sunday.

She added that Kiambu needs a new leader like her since the ones in office cannot bring the much-needed change.

“Kiambu needs a turnaround and it can't be done with the same leaders who have been there. It needs one with leadership skills, management excellence and experience in operational excellence,” she said.