By Eddah Waithaka
Civil society organizations (CSOs) have raised the alarm over a dangerous trend of normalized corruption in county governments following repeated adverse audit reports.
In Kiambu County, the Auditor General has flagged financial mismanagement every year since the current administration took office.
The latest audit report warns that failure to punish graft has emboldened corrupt officials, with successive reports showing worsening embezzlement.
In response, the Bunge Mashinani Initiative, part of the Kiambu County Social Accountability Network (KISANET), mobilized citizens under the #TupiganeNaUfisadi campaign to demand action from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
Their efforts bore fruit yesterday when EACC officers raided the offices and homes of several county officials, including Governor Kimani Wamatangi and multiple County Executive Committee (CEC) members.
The operation uncovered over Kshs. 15 million in cash, both in Kenyan shillings and US dollars, suspected to be proceeds of crime. “These funds could have improved healthcare, water access, and sanitation for Kiambu residents,” said a Bunge Mashinani representative. “Instead, they allegedly lined the pockets of corrupt leaders.”
The CSOs praised the EACC’s swift action but demanded prosecutions and convictions. They pointed to recent cases, including the conviction of former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu for procurement fraud and Nyandarua Governor Daniel Waithaka’s violations of procurement laws.
“Corruption thrives when impunity does. We must see high-profile convictions to deter others,” the group stated.
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The coalition is urgently advocating for crucial reforms aimed at promoting integrity and transparency within public institutions.
Their key proposals include the strict enforcement of Chapter Six of the Constitution, which calls for thorough vetting of public officials and political candidates, with a particular focus on the scrutiny of wealth declarations.
Additionally, they seek the passage of the Whistleblower Protection Bill (2023) to protect those who expose corruption while expediting the prosecution of graft cases.
The coalition also emphasizes the need for guaranteed independence of oversight institutions such as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), and the Judiciary, which should be supported through adequate funding and robust legal protections.
Finally, they call for the full implementation of the Access to Information Act (2016) to bolster transparency at both national and county levels..
“Corruption degrades our dignity and perpetuates poverty,” the activists declared. “We will keep fighting until every stolen shilling is accounted for—and until the corrupt face justice.”
As investigations continue, pressure mounts on Kiambu County leaders to explain the seized millions.
Corruption drains public resources meant for development. With counties losing billions yearly, citizen-led accountability remains crucial in the fight against graft.
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