Uhuru helpless in fight against graft – Mudavadi

The Amani National Congress (ANC) leader, Musalia Mudavadi, has faulted President Uhuru Kenyatta over apparent ineptitude to tackle corruption.

In a statement to newsrooms, Tuesday, October 18, Mudavadi alleged that the President’s demeanour during his address was “that of throwing in the towel” saying he majored on passing the buck to other state agencies.

“He (President Kenyatta) exonerated himself from spiraling corruption, even suggesting that he was misled in firing Cabinet and PSs in the EACC list two years ago because the agency has yet to provide incriminating evidence against them to date.”

Mudavadi’s said his interpretation of Uhuru’s address was that of a leader that had surrendered to corruption cartels noting that his response is not one that is expected of a Head of State.

“The posture of helplessness doesn’t inspire the war against corruption. What then is the message to ordinary Kenyans? That they should learn to live with corruption that takes away their livelihoods?” questioned Mudavadi.

“The insinuation that he is powerless against corruption because of constitutional limitations is extremely alarming. In complaining that he doesn’t have legal or constitutional wherewithal to appoint Judges, is he intimating that had he such powers he would determine who should be jailed and who should not?”

The ANC leader said that public officers speak at the behest of the president despite the independent mandate and functions of anti-corruption agencies.

“He demonstrated this ability to get things done when he got EACC commissioners relieved of their duties in record time.”

“I want to counsel the president on monumental billions worth scandal involving cash transfers to the elderly, infirm and orphans.”

He alleged that other than the known corruption scandals, the distribution of funds to the elderly and orphans  has also been infiltrated by corrupt individuals.

“While at the Coast last week, I bumped on what could be a major scandal of theft beyond NYS. The billions cash transfers are perforated with corruption because beneficiaries aren’t getting it as assumed,” said Mudavadi.

“Money is going to pockets of ghost beneficiaries while the qualified beneficiaries are turned away on flimsy grounds. Many beneficiaries were registered but don’t get disbursements. The situation will get the worse given the biting drought in parts of the country where the transfers alleviate suffering.”

In his speech, President Kenyatta challenged agencies involved in the fight against corruption to up their game saying as president he had played his part by according them the support they need.

“As the President, I have played my part in fighting corruption and even called on those named in graft to step aside. Let those who are charged with investigations do their job and do it right,” he said.

“Corruption has frustrated me and it is because the pressure to fight graft rests on my shoulders. But I have done what no other government has done since independence in fighting corruption, at a great political expense.”

The President singled out the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI), Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the Inspector General of Police, and the Judiciary as key agencies in the fight against corruption.