Kenya Seeks to Fix Corruption Problem

Kenya faces a corruption problem that the future government must fix says economic and pr-democracy groups. 

CEO of the Good Governance and Anti-Corruption Organization, Mwalimu Mati, says that millions of public funds dollars are being lost to government officials and bribery scandals.  Arguing that the bribery hurts the nation’s growth, Mati says the politicians are bought with no “philosophical roots” resulting in no political or voter interaction and involvement in the countries issues.

Mati stated, “Of the three leading parties in our general elections today none are older than three years, even though our leaders have been around for decades. So these parties are really election vehicles.”

Supported by money from unknown sources, according to a UN study, the majority of the money supporting the politicians can not be legally traced, some are afraid that the political parties are making their money from illegal sales.

Civilians are also affected by Kenya’s unofficially adopted system of bribery.  From lower level officials to the police, everyone is expected to pay some for of bribe to someone, with the majority of the people can barely afford them.

Both candidates of the Kenya election claim that they will do something about Kenya’s corruption problems.  President Mwai Kibaki promises to introduce a “clean hands” cabinet who do not practice the art of corruption.  Supporters for his opponents argue that he should have done that five years ago.

As of now, Kibaki is trailing behind his opponent, Raila Odinga, however no official statement has been published concerning the outcome of the Kenya presidential election.