By Clifford Derrick- Mpumalanga, South Africa
I fully support Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi’s commitment to enhancing Kenya’s financial autonomy. His recent remarks about the indignity of African finance ministers queuing for loans at IMF offices highlight the urgency of strengthening our domestic revenue systems.
Despite securing a Ksh 78 billion loan from the IMF, Mbadi believes that tightening tax collection can enable Kenya to recover over Ksh 400 billion, which can help address current crises and reduce reliance on external borrowing.
Given Mbadi’s affiliation with the ODM party, led by Raila Odinga, a steadfast advocate against corruption, I am confident he will uphold the party’s principles and national interests.
Following Odinga’s guidance, Mbadi should focus on sealing loopholes in revenue collection and procurement.
Raila has repeatedly identified the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and the Procurement Department as the two most corrupt departments in the country.
Mbadi should therefore prioritize conducting thorough lifestyle audits for government officials, starting with those in these departments.
Any unexplained wealth must be prosecuted and reclaimed by the state. This is one effective method of addressing the current odious debt issue.
While at it, the government must plan a carefully crafted strategic communication of these measures to the public to foster positive perceptions. Show us some corrupt bigwigs being arraigned in Milimani law courts, trying to hide their corrupt faces from the glare of the cameras.
Let the Office of the Attorney General, Public Prosecutor, and the Director of Criminal Investigations work together with the judiciary to prepare water-tight cases. Secure three, four, or ten successful prosecutions. Recover some money from these culprits from their assets both locally and abroad, including through public auctions.
Such transparency can inspire confidence among local and international investors, spurring economic growth. Such growth would create jobs and increase tax revenue, supporting further development.
I strongly believe that if Mbadi can implement the anti-corruption strategies championed by Raila Odinga during his tenure as Prime Minister in the coalition government with former President Mwai Kibaki, which contributed to significant economic growth, he can turn Kenya around in a short time.
More importantly, these actions can guide Kenya toward greater self-reliance and prosperity.
