Governors should be punished over graft

The Court of Appeal has cleared any doubt about the fate of governors accused of economic crimes. They stand suspended from office unless and until they are cleared of the charges. Restating this position is vital for the future governance of counties.

At the heart of the matter was an appeal by governors Moses Lenolkulal (Samburu), Ferdinand Waititu (Kiambu) and Mike Sonko (Nairobi) to challenge a July ruling by High Court Judge Mumbi Ngugi who determined that any governor, and by extension public officer, implicated of economic crime cannot continue holding office.

The Court of Appeal ruling now settles the matter. Last week, Council of Governors chairman Wycliffe Oparanya announced that they were planning to challenge that ruling, a position that we rejected because it amounts to abetting crime.

Article 10 and on national values and Chapter Six of the Constitution on leadership and integrity set a high threshold for those running public offices. Integrity, accountability, selfless service and transparency are core to public service. Consequently, suspects of economic crimes must step aside.

Those charged with economic crimes are in breach of public trust and are at fault for enriching themselves at the expense of the public, who they swore to serve with integrity. Allowing them in office is a mockery. The magnitude of the challenge becomes more manifest when such an officer goes back to the office to continue handling financial matters and giving instructions to officials who may be called to testify against them.

Locking out corruption suspects sends strong signals to potential offenders and is therefore a deterrent against crime.

The public is extremely upset by the goings-on at the counties, which is why they want strict enforcement of rules to eliminate corruption, wastage and pilferage. Counties portend the best model for expediting and equalising development across the country. They hold hope for the public, especially due to the bad history where development was skewed in favour of some regions. Parts of the country were marginalised and this explains the rows over resource allocation.

Yet, after a spectacular start in 2013, counties have degenerated to become citadels of corruption. Reclaiming the original goal and setting the counties on the path towards posterity depends on enforcement of the rule of law. Thus, governors accused of any transgression should not only be exited, but severely punished.