Take Trump's warning on corruption seriously

President William Ruto departs for Andrews Air Force Base. [PCS]

The United States government has once again complained about rampant corruption in Kenya. In its new report on trade, the Trump administration accuses the Kenyan government of entrenched corruption in awarding lucrative tenders.

While the report does not say anything that the majority of the citizens do not already know, it points to the damage that corruption is doing to the country’s ties with its trade and development partners.

The US says its companies have found it hard to secure contracts in Kenya because of the graft prevailing in the Kenyan Kwanza government, with the projects going to those who are willing to give bribes or look the other way when unethical processes are used in procurement.

Other global organisations, such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF), have often cited corruption as a major impediment to the country’s growth. In its recent meetings with Kenya’s officials regarding extension of credit facilities, the IMF has particularly insisted that the government must take measures to curb the widespread graft in public agencies before any money is released. It is telling that the government has so far failed to secure any significant funding from the IMF since last year.

Corruption is a blot on Kenya’s image. Investment does not thrive in an environment of coercion to give kickbacks, or where some gain advantage over others through greasing the palms of public officers. Investors will not want to put their money where there is no regard for the law or business regulations.

Ordinary citizens, too, often suffer at the hands of corrupt officials. It is now common practice for public officers to openly or indirectly ask for money in order to provide services, yet they are being paid by the same taxpayers. Government offices have become dens for self-enrichment to the point where some officers totally abdicate their responsibilities.

The report by the US government should serve as a warning that other countries can no longer condone our ill practices and we must move decisively to kill the graft ogre.