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A section of Governors yesterday decried what they termed as a skewed fight against corruption by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

The county bosses: Joathan Bii (Uasin Gishu), Anyang Nyong’o (Kisumu) and Wilbur Otichillo of Vihiga yesterday said there was rampant corruption at the national level as well and called on EACC to widen their scope.

Bii said that for the fight against corruption to succeed, EACC should not set all its eyes on devolved units, adding that many cases of graft have been reported at the national government also.

“We, as counties will support EACC in the fight against corruption. EACC should not however be seen as a threat to governors and devolution. Before you punish us down here, please also look up there,” said Bii.
Nyong’o stressed the need for EACC to come up with water tight facts and evidence and stop ‘sensitization and tarnishing of governors names’.

“Without ethics, we cannot fight corruption. Ethics can be detected at all levels. It is a wrong perception to say that corruption is rampant in counties,” said Nyong’o.

“The best way to slay corruption is to make Kenyans believe in their values and shun individuals with tainted integrity from holding any public office,” added the county boss.

The governors at the same time questioned the credibility of opinion polls which they said sometimes do not paint the reality on the ground.

The county bosses spoke during the launch of a corruption prevention programme targeting Uasin Gishu, Kisumu, Vihiga and Siaya counties in Eldoret hotel.

During the three-day engagement, the Commission will assist the county officials to develop sustainable strategies for sealing systemic weaknesses and loopholes that allow corruption in the counties.
EACC North Rift regional Manager Charles Razuku said the commission will implement the programme in all counties.

Razuku said the commission will not fight graft in isolation and called for the support of devolved units.
“We have to work with you if the fight against corruption is anything to go by.

Vihiga Governor Wilbur Ottichilo lamented the frequent summons by the Senate to respond to audit queries, saying they are too much.

Ottichilo, while giving his State of the County address, said he has appeared before Senate committees four times and his administration is spending a lot of money to facilitate the appearances.

“The honourable members for the period of one year alone I have appeared before the Senate committees four times. These frequent appearances have made the county government of Vihiga spend a lot of money on the travels,” decried Ottichilo.

Ottichilo requested for consultative clarification from the County Assemblies Forum on the roles of the county Assembly and the Senate when it comes to efficient and coordinated oversight of the county executive.

Vihiga county senator Godfrey Osotsi in his reaction to governor Ottichilo’s sentiments said the senate will not stop playing its oversight role on the county executive.

He said as Vihiga senator he will not give it a blind eye as corruption flourishes in the county.