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Corrupt leaders made me quit,
Githongo says
The Standard, Nairobi
Monday October 17, 2005
By Alari Alare
Former anti-corruption czar John
Githongo has ended speculation over his departure by revealing
that he quit his job because of his war against a clique of
powerful corrupt individuals.
Former Ethics and
Governance Permanent Secretary, John Githongo, said
powerful corrupt individuals forced him out of the country.
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"It is safe
to assume that my departure was in relation to the work I
did," Githongo said.
Speaking during a lecture
titled Saving Africa at Oxford University, in the United
Kingdom, last Friday, Githongo urged the West to stop
disbursing aid to African countries with poor leadership
records, saying the act would enhance corruption.
Githongo, a former Ethics and
Governance Permanent Secretary, did not refer to President
Kibaki’s administration and corruption in Kenya during the
talk. Instead, he spoke generally about Africa. |
He said there was no need to pump
aid into African countries as long as poor leadership prevailed,
adding that African governments had failed to use aid for intended
purposes.
When challenged to tell the world
what he saw in President Kibaki’s administration and his
eventual decision to quit, Githongo retorted that it was safe to
assume that his departure was in relation to the work he did.
Githongo kept to himself reasons
that led to his departure on February 7, while on official duty in
the UK.
The former advisor on
anti-corruption chose to keep Kenyans in the dark about his
resignation, leaving room for critics to criticise him for
cowardice. Others questioned his credibility.
Kenyans in the United Kingdom are
wondering how his lectures to white people, far away from Africa,
can help save Africa.
Githongo, who has been working at
the Oxford University as a researcher, resigned amid fears that
the Government was losing its grip on the fight against corruption.
Earlier, while delivering another
lecture at the same university, he had claimed that justice was up
for sale in Kenya.
"You can easily buy justice in
Kenya. The criminal justice system is in a mess and it needs
urgent review," he was quoted by the media.
"Most African leaders are the
main drive behind graft," he said.
He said the less fortunate were
frustrated by court delays, adding that the main players in graft
were politicians, businessmen, civil servants and security
services.
Githongo said the Judiciary,
Legislature and Executive were affected by graft.
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