From: Joachim Omolo Ouko News Dispatch with Omolo Joachim SUNDAY, 2015
Victor from Webuye writes: “Fr Beste something must be very wrong with this government, how can President Uhuru appoint former Nambale MP Chris Okemo who together with former Kenya Power and Lighting boss Samuel Gichuru is wanted in Jersey over money laundering?
Chris Okemo (right) and Samuel Gichuru when they appeared in court July 2011. The two are facing money laundering charges in a UK court. A Nairobi magistrate February 5, 2013 ruled that an extradition case against them goes to full trial. Photo/FILE http://www.nation.co.ke/image/view/-/2661718/medRes/972535/-/4fbo2/-/Cartoon+22-03.jpg
Chris Okemo in court July 2011- The two are facing money laundering charges in a UK court. A Nairobi magistrate February 5, 2013 ruled that an extradition case against them goes to full trial.
Thank you for this important question Victor. In Kenya you are only honored when you are corrupt. So don’t blame President Uhuru, he is just fulfilling the policy of the government. Despite chapter 6 of the constitution on the guiding principles of leadership and integrity which requires that anyone appointment in public office is done so on the basis of personal integrity.
This chapter states that such a person must be free of corruption, honesty in the execution of public duties, transparent, discipline and commitment in service to the people, not for his own benefit.
It explains why, even though the civil society organizations have given President Uhuru Kenyatta a seven-day ultimatum to call for a national crisis meeting to tackle what they called runaway corruption, Uhuru may not honor this call because he is just following the policy of the government he inherited.
This country is used to mass action, so even if the President fails to do so as per their demand nothing can scare him. Uhuru owns all the security he will spread them on the street to shoot, even to kill if you persist on your demonstration.
Uhuru laughed when the group demanded that he should address the country within seven days. The group led by Inuka Kenya CEO John Githongo wants the President to convene a national conference that will provide an inclusive platform for discussion on how to reconstitute the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.
It is quite disturbing indeed that in two years of Jubilee reign, Kenya “has witnessed a return of corruption to levels comparable to the one-party era, when corruption was part of everyday experience of citizens.
Okemo has been appointed board member of the Kenya Seed Company at the time the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Keriako Tobiko is still seeking his arrest. Okemo is wanted in Jersey Island to face charges relating to offences allegedly committed between February 1998 to June 2002. Okemo vied for the Busia senator seat but lost to Amos Wako because of his bad integrity.
This is not the first time Uhuru has made similar appointment. Last December he appointed 26 individuals, including 15 politicians who lost in the March 4, 2013 general election. Some of the politicians include Jebii Kilimo, Agnes Ndetei, Peter Kiilu, Philip Kaloki, Onyango Oloo and Julius Kones.
Others are Abdul Bahari, Edwin Yinda, Titus Ibui, Mohammud Mohammed, Matu Wamae, Geofrey King’ang’i, Daniel Wamahiu,Taraiyia ole Kores and Samuel Nyangeso.
Mr Okemo has been appointed to the board of the Kenya Seed Company as a member for a period of three years with effect from March 23. Dr Noah Wekesa will serve as the chairman of Bukura Agricultural College for a period of three years with effect from March 16.
Mr Okemo faces 15 counts of money laundering and misconduct in public office, while Mr Gichuru faces 40 counts of money laundering, fraud and misconduct in public office.
Government has been incapable of tackling corruption, not only because its members are beneficiaries, but also many appointments have been done on political favor, no matter how crook you are.
So for President Kenyatta to sound a warning to inept and corrupt public officers saying they will be fired is just to please International bodies and investors. When he says he cautions laziness and graft would not be entertained and that those not willing to work hard were free to go home is just the opposite.
Uhuru sounded the warning after the members of the private sector had raised concern with him that corruption had increased the cost of doing business in Kenya. In Kenya investors must bribe members of the Executive for award of tenders.
Members of key House committees must be bribed by forces in the Executive to stop investigations into the theft of taxpayers’ money. All the sectors must be bribed, especially the police that are just taking bribes openly in day light when people are watching.
Fr Joachim Omolo Ouko, AJ Tel +254 7350 14559/+254 722 623 578 E-mail obolobeste@gmail.com
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