Written By John Mutiso 📝
The National Integrity Alliance (NIA) has noted that various political formations have nominated candidates to compete for elective seats, despite some of these political aspirants having tainted integrity.
Despite the IEBC earlier defending those found with graft on their decision to run for elective posts, NIA has issued a statement to the IEBC and the Ethics & Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) requesting them to bar any leader who is accused of corruption, impeached from office or has a pending corruption case in court from holding public office or running for an elective post.
“At stake in this year’s polls is the risk of electing to public office individuals who are in breach of the leadership and integrity tenets as enshrined in Chapter 6 of the Constitution of Kenya 2010, those named adversely by statutory agencies or prosecuted for corruption, economic crimes and abuse of office or other criminal offenses,” NIA stated in a statement.
The Civil Society Organisation also added that the cost of electing such leaders is borne by citizens through broken promises to provide effective public services as witnessed recently when we experienced a surge in the cost of living due to rising food and fuel prices in the country.
Even worse, the country is losing a third of its budget annually to corruption and caving under a high level of public debt.
In 2017, NIA Red Carded 20 individuals that should not have been cleared to participate in the general elections on grounds of integrity and corruption.
Some of those red-carded, who was unfortunately elected such as, Ferdinand Waititu – former Kiambu County Governor, Mike Sonko – former Nairobi County Governor, Zakaria Okoth Obado – Migori County Governor and Anne Waiguru -Kirinyaga County Governor, were eventually impeached and others are in court following new corruption and criminal charges, while some are subjects of ongoing criminal investigations.
In this year’s general election, NIA has Red Carded 25 individuals who are not fit to serve in any appointive or elective public office.
Some of these individuals in Red Card 2022 were also Red Carded in 2017.
Among those Red Carded in 2022 include; Aisha Jumwa – Malindi gubernatorial aspirant, Ali Korane – Garissa gubernatorial aspirant, Anne Waiguru – Kirinyaga gubernatorial aspirant, Babu Owino- Embakasi East MP aspirant, Cleophas Malala -– Kakamega gubernatorial aspirant, Daniel Manduku – Nyaribari Masaba MP aspirant, Didmus Barasa – Kimilili MP aspirant, Evans Kidero – Homa Bay gubernatorial aspirant, Fahim Twaha – Lamu gubernatorial aspirant, Godhana Dhadho Gaddae – Tana River gubernatorial aspirant, Phillip Kaloki – Nairobi county deputy gubernatorial aspirant, Rigathi Gachagua – Deputy President nominee, Samson Cherargei – Nandi senatorial aspirant among others.
NIA has called on electoral vetting institutions to exercise their mandate and bar all corrupt and unethical aspirants from vying in the elections.
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