Gideon, Kalonzo back anti-corruption fight

Baringo Senator Gideon Moi and Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka at Muthale Catholic Church in Kitui County yesterday. [Paul Mutua, Standard]

Baringo Senator Gideon Moi yesterday said he was open to teaming up with Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and other leaders to rid the country of runaway corruption.

The senator said he and Kalonzo were like-minded leaders and of good integrity who have shown commitment in the war against corruption.

Speaking at Muthale Catholic Church during a fundraiser for St James Muthale Parish in Kitui County which was also attended by Kalonzo, the senator said corruption was the country’s biggest enemy and urged all Kenyans to join hands in fighting it.

“Corruption affects all the facets of our lives and has impoverished the lives of many Kenyans. We should make the vice our number one enemy and be committed to eliminate it at all costs,” he said.

He supported Central Bank of Kenya’s decision to phase out the Sh1,000 note by October, saying the directive should not be deemed as targeting certain individuals.

Kalonzo said Kenyans were getting fatigued by the tough talk on corruption. All they they want to see, he said, are prosecutions and return of stolen property.

“The war against corruption should not be seen to be targeting certain political leaders or specific communities. Kenyans are now tired of the empty talk whereby even those who are corrupt have started championing themselves as fighters of graft,” said Kalonzo.

The Wiper Party leader said strategic political realignments were being worked out involving himself, Senator Moi and other leaders.

Big Four agenda

Gideon, who is also the Kanu chairman, underscored the need to support President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Big Four agenda.

“In my county, which is similar to Ukambani, I am supporting the drilling of boreholes to establish small-scale irrigation projects to achieve food security. This is what every elected leader should do within their capacities to support the President’s agenda,” he said.

He cautioned against premature 2022 campaigns by some leaders, saying the focus now should be on service delivery.

Others who attended the event included Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua, Samburu West MP Naisula Lesuuda, her Kitui West counterpart Edith Nyenze and members of county assemblies drawn from Ukambani.

Kalonzo at the same time said there was need to review the Constitution to expand the executive in order to cure the politics of exclusion.

“If conducting a referendum (on the current Constitution) will bring everybody on board in the Government,  then we shall do it,” said the former vice president.