I am under pressure to sack people - Uhuru says during State of the Nation Address

Tony Mukere

April 4, 2019 4:23 PM

Uhuru reveals the way forward

I am under pressure to sack people - Uhuru says during State of the Nation Address

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday admitted being under pressure to sack perceived corrupt individuals while making his speech at the State of the Nation Address at Parliament buildings in Nairobi.

Kenyatta said despite pressure from Kenyans and the media, his fight against corruption would be carried out through strict adherence to the law and those implicated would be prosecuted through the right channels.

“I must confess, however, that am under pressure to say who am I sacking! I must, however, caution that the pursuit of the corrupt will be undertaken strictly within the remits of the law – and not through vigilante justice and pitchfork protest. Though media narratives rally our resolve as they should, our actions will not be based on condemnation before one has been heard,” Kenyatta stated.

The President added that any official whose case will be taken before a court of law on corruption will be removed from government.

The President further noted that institutions fighting corruption should be strengthened and not weakened.

“Honorable Members, to safeguard these outcomes, the institutions charged with this war need to be strengthened and not weakened,” he stated.

The statement appeared to be in response to a proposed bill by Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro seeking to lower the powers of the Director of Criminal Investigation and block his office from investigating graft-related crimes.

Tony Mukere