The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission will be given some Sh2.9 billion, the Office of Director of Public Prosecutions Sh3 billion and Sh50 billion to the Assets Recovery Agency/PSCU
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 13 – The government has allocated Sh88 billion to various agencies tasked with fighting graft in a move meant to sustain the renewed war against the vice.
Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich said the money will “sustain the drive against graft” to ensure Kenyans don’t continue losing billions of shillings from the public coffers.
According to the budget estimates released by the CS to Parliament on Thursday, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission will be given some Sh2.9 billion, the Office of Director of Public Prosecutions Sh3 billion and Sh50 billion to the Assets Recovery Agency.
The Office of the Auditor General which is tasked with the primary oversight role of ensuring accountability in the use of public resources within the three Arms of Government has been allocated Sh5.7 billion and Sh7.1 billion to the criminal investigation services.
He allocated Sh40.5 billion to the Legislature and some Sh19.4 billion for the Judiciary in what he said will enhance “access to justice.”
While the country plans to spend the billions in the war against graft, United States Ambassador to Kenya Kyle McCarter said a staggering Sh800 billion is stolen every year – which amounts to 30 per cent of the national budget.
The envoy said amount lost can be used to fund President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Big Four agenda.
CS Rotich has allocated Sh450 billion for the government to implement the Big Four Agenda, which includes food security, affordable housing, manufacturing, and affordable healthcare.
“There is a big fund available that can fix all your problems. Every year, $8 billion is stolen from this country,” the envoy said firmly. “If we can just take that fund, your problems would be solved. In Kenya, there is a choice to be made,” the US envoy said.
Ambassador McCarter was speaking on Thursday when shortly after addressing students of Kenyatta University and this was in response to an appeal from one of the students seeking help for school fees.
READ: Anti-graft war could save Kenya $8bn annually, US envoy says
He challenged Kenya’s largest population – the youth and more so university students to step up and join in the renewed war against graft, saying it is their future that is being stolen.
“Do you know how much the Big Four is worth? Sh8 billion,” he said. “This country has a big choice to make.”
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