President Uhuru Kenyatta (pictured) has warned corrupt public officials that they will be jailed if found culpable. Speaking in Rurii, Nyandarua County, yesterday the President reiterated that he was ready to lose friends who betray his development agenda.
“Just wait and see. These people will be in Kamiti. I didn’t send them to steal. Governor Francis Kimemia, be alert. These MCAs might land you in the same trouble as seen in some other place,” said Kenyatta in reference to the impeachment of former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu.
“You have seen what they did in Kiambu. This is not the same Kenya that they knew. If your hand is long, it will be cut short not by me but those who own the resources, Kenyans,” he added.
“Even if you are my best friend I won’t be your friend if you dip a hand in the public coffers. To some, when I look the other side they dip their hands to steal, when I turn back I find they have eaten everything from the basket. Not any more. We must protect public resources,” said Kenyatta.
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He dismissed claims that the spirited fight against corruption was witch hunt targeting a particular group of people and maintained that regardless of one’s political stand corruption is evil.
“They are saying when I fight graft that I am targeting individuals. No. Those being sought are those who have eaten what does not belong to them. You ate with your wife and children. Return it to Kenyans,” he said.
The Head of State reiterated his commitment to leave a legacy of peace and unity saying that without cohesion the development that has been realised will be of no use to Kenyans.
“Without peace and you have much wealth you won’t be happy. We want people to have jobs any part of the country without fear. We want anyone to buy land, set up businesses anywhere without fear. That is what we are looking for in the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI),” he said.
Jeopardise his mission
He said there was a clique of politicians out to jeopardise his mission to unite the country with succession politics.
“There are people who while we are in the process of looking for peace they are busy looking for leadership. They have turned to name calling but I tell them to stick to their lanes. We were all elected with clear cut mandate,” said Kenyatta.
He added that the BBI is about ensuring equity in distribution of resources across the county.
“It is wrong for us to wake up to politics of hate every time. Let us keep politics aside and work for Kenyans. We are a democracy and we know it is given that after five years there will be an election,” he said.
The President warned that politics of division and ethnicity are a threat to investment at a time when the country is seeking to create more jobs and industrialise.
“Peace can’t be found without reasoning together on what makes people lose lives, houses torched every five years. We have to respect each other. Why are they bringing excuses on our discussion with the other side?” He posed.
His sentiments were echoed by Nyandarua Governor Francis Kimemia who said they will not allow continued disrespect of the President.
“We are all behind the BBI. We shall not allow our President to be insulted. He was voted for by millions of Kenyans and deserves respect unconditionally. We urge those who have strayed to come back home,” said Mr Kimemia.
“Don’t mind them, there will never miss a confused bull in a herd (sic). We shall not allow them to continue insulting him but we shall show them the direction should they agree to reform,” he added.
