KENYA : Kapseret Member Of Parliament (MP) Oscar Sudi has hinted at an oncoming exposé that will reveal top ranking government officials who are flouting their codes of conduct to do business with the state.
Vowing to unmask them one by one, In a social media update on Saturday, November 9, the lawmaker suggested that certain heads of corporations and parastatals have taken advantage of their positions to hijack the government's procurement operations.
Sudi, further revealed that the accused persons were not trading directly but hiding behind proxies and partners.
The lawmaker pointed out that through their shady undertakings, the bureaucrats were discriminating against qualified businessmen who sought to supply to the government.
"These well-known individuals are discriminating against and mistreating legit businessmen by locking them out of public government tenders despite being qualified. I will be calling out these culprits one by one who has our ministries in a chokehold," said Sudi.
The Vocal Legislator, is known to be among the people who call the shots in the current regime, thanks to his proximity with President William Ruto.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, in an address at the Heads of the Supply Chain and Procurement Forum 2024 in Mombasa, shed light on the staggering impact of corruption in Kenya.
"Kenya is ranked 126 out of 180 countries in the 2023 Transparency International Global Corruption Index," Musalia Mudavadi 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," Mudavadi said.
Musalia Mudavadi, revealed the country loses approximately a staggering sh 608 Billion to corruption annually.
Addressing the 320 heads of supply chain and procurement who attended the forum, Musalia 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.
"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.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta, was in 2022 quoted lamenting about the staggering corruption in the Country.
Uhuru, stated that the East African Country, loses approximately sh 2 Billion daily, to corruption. The revelation, sparked outrage with Netizens questioning why the leaders, mandated to stop the vice, only speak of it instead of putting measures to ensure accountability.
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.