The war on graft has drawn different reactions from Kenyans, as President Uhuru Kenyatta looks to tame a vice that has burdened the nation for years. Following high profile arrests last week, leaders have voiced their reactions, with some faulting the war on corruption. Some leaders allied to Deputy President William Ruto have criticized what they’ve seen as discrimination towards one community. This comes after the arrest of Kenya Pipeline Company Managing Director Joe Sang and other KPC top managers on Friday added to a list of parastatal officials from the Kalenjin community arrested previously on allegations of corruption, including former KPLC heads Ben Chumo and Ken Tarus, and former NCPB chief Newton Terer. Speaking in Bungoma during a fundraiser for the Christ the King Catholic Church that brought together leaders from Bungoma County and Deputy President Ruto, Sirisia MP John Waluke said the government is biased in the graft war.
He said only one tribe is being targeted, “I think the DPP is unable to handle the war on graft, which is leaning against one community,” he said. He noted that Kenya has many tribes and corruption isn’t only rooted in one tribe, “Kenya has many tribes, we can’t say there isn’t corruption elsewhere.” Moreover Bumula MP Mwambu Mabonga said Kenya should deal with the scourge of corruption, and the country will be more admirable, however, he supported Waluke’s sentiments that the war on corruption shouldn’t be one-sided, “If you go to a certain place, don’t enter the bedroom, sitting room and avoid other places,” he said.
During a visit to Eldoret last week, Deputy President William Ruto said anti-graft bodies and prosecution bodies should work independently without being influenced by external bodies. He said the war on corruption isn’t targeting government workers and as a result, no one should feel intimidated or targeted. However, Cherangany MP Joshua Kuttuny has said the Kalenjin officials linked with graft should bear their responsibility. He said the leaders who are defending individuals implicated in graft haven’t defended the farmers who are suffering. He noted that suspects from many tribes have been listed by anti-graft bodies and not members of the Kalenjin community only. ANC party leader Musalia Mudavadi also dismissed claims that the war on graft is tribal. Speaking at PCEA Church in Kikuyu constituency, he said there are quests and sideshows designed to make it seem as though the President’s war on graft is a tribal fight, “No, Uhuru has not embarked on a tribal fight, he has embarked on a fight against corruption,” he said.