By J, KNA
Kenya needs political goodwill to enable the state machinery to investigate and fight the deep-rooted corruption that has been ailing the economy for long, a member of Kisii county assembly has said.
Marani Ward Member of County Assembly and leader of minority, Dennis Ombachi, said institutions like the Anti-Corruption Commission were capable of addressing the menace by implementing the laid down laws if only it got support from the relevant authorities.
Speaking at Gusii stadium in Kisii town, Kisii County, the devolved unit leader
urged all leaders and government to fastrack development as per the constitution and in the financial year 25/26 budget so that development is not derailed
Noting that corruption was endemic in the country, Ombachi said the vice could be stopped if there was equity in distribution of resources because poverty and joblessness were leading cause of corruption as people sought opportunities.
Ombachi appealed to Governor Simba Arati to invite President William Ruto to Kisii state lodge to have a candid engagement with the residents.
He explained that there was nothing wrong with meeting the president but opted for the president coming to meet the people instead because they were many and travelling to meet him would cost a dime, and only a few people would manage the trip.
On devolution, Ombachi said national and county government should engage more to ensure devolved units receive more resources and that there was less interference by the committees from senate and legislature.
He said they should instead support county Assemblies to implement devolution instead of using article 96 of the constitution to weaken County Assemblies by summoning governors to Nairobi, work that devolved assemblies could ably do.
The MCA said the country need to implement the constitution fully, especially the 4th schedule to ensure all functions noted there in were implanted, lest the units continue going to the centre to beg for resources.
He called on governor Simba to ensure all units received their share, especially all constituencies and wards.
He expressed the need to have Village Councils and Administrators to enable people participate in the devolution concept, since it is many years after the promulgation.
