No Sacred Cows In Graft War Daily Nation 11 May 2004 Page: 1
Cabinet minister Kiraitu Murungi yesterday accused politicians and the media of exaggerating the corruption in the Narc Government He said the war on graft was on course and there would be no sacred cows in the current or previous regime.
"I would like to assure all Kenyans that the Government remains steadfast in the fight against corruption. The fight is at the top of our national priorities," said Mr Kiraitu, whose docket as Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister includes the fight against corruption.
He was apparently referring to the controversial Sh2.7 billion passports contract that has dogged the Home Affairs ministry, headed by Vice-President Moody Awori, for the past month. It was first exposed in Parliament by Ntonyiri MP Maoke Maore of Kanu, who claimed that someone in government "pocketed Sh1.7 billion" in the tender.
Questions have been raised as to why a Sh800 million project for the purchase of passport issuing equipment was expanded into one costing Sh2.7 billion and the tender awarded to a French firm without competitive bidding. Investigations into the deal have been launched by the Public Accounts Committee and the governments anti-corruption boss, Mr John Githongo.
Yesterday Mr Murungi said some "corrupt elements in society and unseen forces" were bent on undermining the anti-graft campaign. He urged anyone with evidence to give it to the authorities instead of "politicising it or hiding behind political parties or communities."
In a three-page statement, the minister expressed concern that politicians and a section of the media had highlighted cases of corruption or perceived corruption that were under investigation. Mr Murungi reminded critics that nothing had changed and that they had engaged in the anti graft war consistently in the past 16 months on five major fronts.
The minister said those accusing the government of corruption were trying to confuse Kenyans "deliberately in order to portray the government as one that was not committed to the fight against corruption." "The Government is determined to fight corruption at all levels both within and outside government. we know that corruption will fight back."
He accused the press and politicians of exaggerating the level of graft in the current government to divert attention from "the real war", and cautioned the media and the public against falling into that trap saying the anti-graft war recognised no sacred cows in the current or previous regime. "We shall go strictly by evidence," the statement said, adding that the war against graft was complex and would be long drawn.
The minister blamed people accused of graft of seeking protection in their political parties and vowed the authorities would not stop investigations and prosecutions on corruption.
Mr Kiraitu noted that the emerging practice by the accused or suspected persons of seeking protection from their communities, under the guise that their "tribes are being finished." must stop, as no one steals on behalf of others."