BY ELIJAH GICHUNGE

PHOTO: PHOEBE OKALL

Meru County hosted yet another international (Anti- corruption) day at Meru National Polytechnic , adding to the list of a series of both national and international events celebrated in Meru this year.

Governor Kiraitu who graced the occasion, led the commemoration which began with Ethics, County officials, other stakeholders and the members of the public in a procession from Makutano junction to Meru National polytechnic to mark the International Anti Corruption Day.

The event whose theme was dubbed "Winning The Fight Against Corruption, a sustainable Path To Africa's Transformation, had earlier this week been preceded by an EACC Anti Corruption outreach program in Meru, Vihiga and Bomet Counties, in collaboration with different government agencies.

Objectively, the governor noted that his long term passion to fight graft led him to champion for the establishment of the EACC after it was abolished by president Moi's regime. He also in 2004 led the Kenya's delegation to the UN conference in Mexico, where the International Anti-corruption deal was signed, as the then Minister for Justice and constitutional reforms.

Meru County in particular, he said has really benefited through the sensitization, saying his government has been up to the task since his election. This is why he was able to save close to sh.900 million that was about to go missing through the pending bills.

He pointed out the root cause to corruption as the political campaigns which has been transformed to political capital and a tool to win political allegiance. He intimated that his effort to champion for anti-grafts however, has severally fallen victim of political shenanigans.

He called for social economic and political revolution that will instill discipline in the public service and cultural set up, extending to the priesthood.

His utterance was echoed by his Deputy, Hon. Ntuchiu, who reported a close working relationship with the regional EACC office. He also added that the county administration is working hard in ceiling the possible loopholes that may lead to loss of public finances.

"As a county, we won't allow Meru taxpayers money to be squandered. We are committed not only to end corruption itself, but also the corrupt attitude" Said Ntuchiu

Commissioner Sophia Lepuchirit, EACC Vice Chairperson, said the one week’s outreach was absolutely about corruption preventive measures. She expressed her disappointments on the rampant bribery at the grassroots involving some officials from security agencies, Huduma centres, health institutions, cross cutting the social life divide.

However, she implored that the commission has developed a system that will improve the working systems within the executive and county governments through corruption risks assessment. "A nation cannot change unless a significant number of people have a change in heart" she said.

According to Halakhe Waqo, CEO EACC, Kenya was the first country to sign the UN agreement on Anti Corruption, led by the then Minister for Justice and Constitutional Reforms, Governor Kiraitu. He added that Kiraitu has been instrumental to the commission due to his long experience as an anti-corruption champion.

He was also keen to note that every Kenyan has a responsibility for fighting corruption as a prerequisite to Kenya's economic, political and social development.