Kenya – the fight against corruption

The Kenyan government’s most important representative in the fight against corruption, John Githongo, resigned last Monday from his position as Permanent Secretary for Governance and Ethics at the Office of the President. Mr. Githongo stated in his letter of resignation that he is no longer able to serve the Kenyan government.

“Mr. Githongo’s resignation is a serious setback for anti-corruption efforts in Kenya,” says Minister of International Development Hilde F. Johnson.

The main focus of the Norwegian development co-operation with the Kenyan authorities is on the fight against corruption. “Continued Norwegian support channelled through the Kenyan authorities is conditional on political willingness to sustain anti-corruption efforts. President Kibaki has made clear statements on zero tolerance for corruption. This was our main justification for resuming development co-operation with Kenya in 2004,” says Ms Johnson.

Through this development co-operation, Norway has supported the unit for fighting corruption at the Office of the President, and contributed to the establishment of the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission and to the national programme for strengthening the justice sector.

The Norwegian Embassy in Nairobi, together with representatives from other donor countries, criticised the Kenyan authorities severely in a joint press release on Tuesday. It was pointed out that Mr Githongo’s resignation seriously brought into question the authorities’ credibility in the fight against corruption. The press release also demanded that the authorities resume their anti-corruption efforts and demonstrate political will at the highest level to eradicate corruption and abuse of power.

“We will take part in efforts to put considerable pressure on the government to follow up its stated goal of zero tolerance for corruption. The Kenyan people deserve the fight against corruption to be continued so that the country’s resources can be channelled into eradicating poverty, rather than lining the pockets of individuals in positions of power and influence. The response from the Kenyan authorities will be decisive for the way in which we organise our future support for anti-corruption efforts in Kenya,” says Minister of International Development Hilde F. Johnson.