Bishop: Political elite hampering graft war

Catholic Diocese of Kakamega Bishop Joseph Obanyi with Shinyalu MP Anami Lisamula(far left) during a ground breaking ceremony for construction of church hostels at Lubao Catholic church on Sunday.The bishop has accused the political elite of targeting institutions tasked with fighting corruption. (PHOTO:KENNEDY OKWACH)

Kakamega Catholic Diocese Bishop Joseph Obanyi and Shinyalu MP Anami Lisamula have accused the political elite of frustrating war on corruption by targeting institutions tasked with fighting the vice.

"We should let each institution exercise its mandate independently and delink war on corruption from political linings, ethnic base and religious arguments if we really mean to slay the vice," said Fr Obanyi during a church service in Lubao over the weekend.

Obanyi urged Parliament to amend the law to strengthen the mandate of Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) by giving it powers to prosecute.

"Let the war on corruption go beyond individuals and party loyalty. Kenyans are not interested in parties or ethnic affiliations but want corruption to be tackled for a better county. Let EACC and the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) do their job without interference," said Obanyi.

The bishop said Kenya has potential to become an economic hub and that all challenges facing this country emanate from corruption.

"Behind every problem in the country there is corruption. Escalating insecurity is brought about by corrupt immigration and security officials. High mortality and maternal death are a result of corruption. Negative ethnicity is propagated by corrupt and self-seeking leaders," said Obanyi, adding:

"When we start to criticise and attack independent institutions and people constitutionally mandated to fight corruption, then we are doomed to fail. We cannot use intimidation and threats to weaken constitutional institutions. Let us exercise objective criticism."

Some Jubilee-allied MPs have in the past claimed the EACC and DPP have colluded with powerful individuals and businessmen to fix their rivals.

Mr Lisamula said the Jubilee government is not sincere in its war against graft saying it has failed to adequately support EACC as they search for evidence.

"The Government is playing politics with corruption," he said.