The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga has sounded an alarm over what he termed as “deeply entrenched” culture of corruption running through every level of Kenya’s governance and society.
Addressing delegates at the Devolution Conference in Homa Bay today, Odinga said graft was not limited to county governments but was equally rife in the national executive, Judiciary, Legislature, revenue agencies, private sector, and media.
“Corruption is in all aspects of our lives: in procurement, in customs and income tax offices, in Parliament where money is wasted, in the courts, and even in the media. It is a national crisis,” he said, warning that development would remain elusive unless the vice is tackled decisively.
Odinga accused procurement officers of inflating costs at taxpayers’ expense and contractors of bribing lawmakers to block government projects.
He further alleged that sections of the media take payments to selectively expose graft to the public and that judges take inducements.
To counter the problem, Odinga proposed digitising county services from business permits to healthcare bookings in real time and in local languages, arguing this would improve transparency and curb corruption.
Odinga said counties should also be evaluated on measurable outcomes such as poverty reduction, youth employment, and environmental conservation, with top performers receiving additional national support.
On the broader devolution agenda, the former Prime Minister recommended a national incentive scheme to reward counties that excel in service delivery, saying that such a framework could drive competition and improve governance at the local level.
“There is a need for more transparent performance reporting at the counties that gives the public access to data they can use to evaluate service delivery. That data will also show where it is easier to start a business, access healthcare or farm,” Odinga said, adding it would empower the public to compare service delivery across counties and make informed socio-economic choices.
Odinga cited other recommendations such as devolving education up to secondary school level, transferring NG-CDF and NGAAF funds to county control, and encouraging counties to become “producers of wealth” through renewable energy, industrial parks, and smart agriculture.
“Time has come to devolve more resources and power to counties and, at the same time, demand results. All funds currently managed by NG-CDF and NGAAF should be surrendered to counties,” he said, adding that such reforms would improve efficiency and service delivery.
Odinga linked these reforms to a wider anti-corruption drive and further urged Parliament to amend the law to grant pensions to governors who have served two full terms.
By Sitna Omar
