This archive report was first published on 26 December 2019.
As we begin a new year, it's essential to acknowledge the pervasive issue of corruption in Kenya. The public sector, in particular, has been marred by scandals and scams that have resulted in significant financial losses.
According to recent revelations, some public service appointees have been motivated by a desire to loot public resources rather than serve the public. This is evident in the numerous scandals that have been unearthed in recent times, involving staff from the lowest to the highest levels in government ministries, parastatals, or agencies.
One notable example is the cartel that was busted by Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i, which had been minting hundreds of millions of shillings from the civil registration of persons. This scam involved the issuance of birth certificates to foreigners with ulterior motives, who then used these documents to obtain Kenyan national identity cards and even passports.
The 47 counties, which were expected to be reliable channels for moving resources from the centre to the grassroots, have become dens of corruption. Thankfully, national anti-corruption agencies are working to address this issue, and several governors have already been hauled to court on graft charges.
Additionally, there have been stunning revelations about how some junior public service clerks have siphoned out hundreds of millions of shillings that should have gone into providing essential services.
Currently, the spotlight is on the unmasking of the thieving that has gone on at Kenya Power for too long. Investigations have revealed that crooks have manipulated the billing system to make unsuspecting customers pay for electricity they never consumed. This has resulted in the loss of hundreds of millions of shillings through devious, well-orchestrated schemes.
Kenya Power deserves kudos for taking the bull by the horns in its attempt at an internal cleanup and tightening controls, which has seen some culprits sacked.
Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) is also reeling under fraud engineered from within. KPC has admitted that its own highly qualified and experienced employees were behind a racket that had fuel worth billions of shillings stolen.
Fighting corruption is a New Year resolution that the country badly needs to enhance efforts to turn the tide against the vice.
