Dr. Ida Odinga has joined other leaders in the country in condemning the runaway corruption. She has urged those who have been involved in corruption to return the money they have looted from public coffers and resign, “Don’t call those people corrupt, those are thieves. I want to call on the thieves to give us a break. Return all that you have stolen and go home. Stop bothering us with many useless stories.”
Speaking at Ang’urai in Teso North, Mrs. Odinga also hit at the corrupt leaders who are challenging the public to provide evidence to support allegations against them, “Don’t ask us to provide evidence, we are not police or investigating officers. You need to apologize for stealing public funds and resign from your position.”
Her sentiments were echoed by other leaders present led by Busia County women representative Hon. Florence Mutua, nominated senator Rose Nyamunga and East Africa Legislative Assembly MP Hon. Fatuma Ibrahim who said corrupt leaders should carry their own cross, “If you stole money, be ready to answer questions alone. Nobody is going to sympathize with you because when you were stealing you were alone.”
However, Busia County Governor Sospeter Ojaamong who was present appeared to differ with other leaders on the fight against graft saying more needs to be done to win war on corruption. “Leaders who are talking about the fight on corruption are the ones who are more corrupt. We said the best way to fight corruption is to conduct a lifestyle audit on our leaders. Let’s not just join a chorus about fighting corruption because a leader somewhere is singing that song,” he said.
He said some people may even be compromised, “For example, if you send a hungry police officer to arrest me are you sure he will take me to court or will just release me on the way? Don’t use known people to handle corruption cases because they will be compromised. There should be a special team to lead the war against corruption in this country,” the Governor stated.