Opposition leader Raila Odinga criticized politicians who weaponized anti-corruption rhetoric during the Sixth Annual Devolution Conference in Kirinyaga County, asserting that no Kenyan holds immunity from legal accountability. Speaking at the event, he highlighted global examples of leaders facing consequences for graft, including South Africa, Indonesia, Brazil, and South Korea, where officials were prosecuted or resigned over corruption allegations.
"If Indonesia’s energy minister can resign due to corruption and South Korea prosecute and convict a sitting President, why not Kenya?" Odinga questioned, challenging claims that anti-graft efforts targeted specific communities. He emphasized that accountability should focus on individuals, not ethnic groups, and urged politicians to defer to investigative institutions rather than making premature accusations.
Odinga reiterated President Uhuru Kenyatta’s call for evidence-based scrutiny, stating the leader had invited anyone with proof of wrongdoing to come forward. He also addressed devolution challenges, arguing that while the system remained intact, regional collaboration through formalized blocs could enhance economic competitiveness among counties.
The opposition chief advocated for transforming the conference into a peer review mechanism, citing African Union models that facilitated cross-county learning. He criticized national government procurement practices, noting that devolved functions like healthcare and agriculture required greater county-level funding to achieve the Big Four agenda’s goals.
