Corruption Drains Billions From Kenya's Economy, Says Prime Cabinet Secretary

Corruption Drains Billions from Kenya’s Economy, Says Prime Cabinet Secretary

Post author:Mujuni Henry
Post published:August 16, 2024
Post category:World
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In a recent address at the Heads of the Supply Chain and Procurement Forum 2024 in Mombasa, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi shed light on the staggering impact of corruption in Kenya.

According to data from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, Kenya loses an estimated Sh608 billion, or 7.8% of its GDP, annually to corruption. Globally, the figure stands at a staggering USD2.6 trillion (about Sh338 trillion), which accounts for 5% of the world’s GDP.

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“Kenya is ranked 126 out of 180 countries in the 2023 Transparency International Global Corruption Index,” Musalia said highlighting the country’s struggle with this persistent issue.

The Prime Cabinet Secretary lamented that perpetrators of corruption find it easier to engage in illegalities with government-funded projects than donor-funded ones.

“In other words, we respect and fear foreigners more than we respect our own people,” PCS Mudavadi said.

Addressing the 320 heads of supply chain and procurement who attended the forum, Mudavadi emphasized the need to create “fear in the discharge of irregularities” within procurement processes.

He urged the managers to avoid being influenced by political forces and to distinguish between personal, sectarian, political, and national interests when discharging their duties.

“Protect your profession from political influence that has led to awards being made based on political considerations rather than on merit,” Mudavadi said.

Corruption Drains Billions from Kenya's Economy, Says Prime Cabinet Secretary 1

“You must fight back ‘the call from above’ being used to influence your decisions and remain steadfast in your compliance to procurement regulations and procedures.” He added

John Karani, the chair of the Kenya Institute of Supplies Management, acknowledged the challenges posed by the “corruption monster” in the supply chain and procurement departments.

He highlighted the importance of digitizing processes to minimize or potentially eradicate corruption, citing the Electronic Government Procurement System as a promising solution.

The forum’s discussions underscored the urgency of addressing the widespread corruption that continues to drain billions from Kenya’s economy, with the government and professional bodies working together to implement reforms and strengthen accountability measures.