Kenyans in Minnesota had a Q&A with Kenya’s Finance minister, Amos Kimunya last year and when they asked him about corruption, he gave a very interesting response given the current situation he is in;
On the issue of corruption, which has been the main culprit of Kenyan economic drawback, Kimunya said the government was doing all it could to reduce the vice. He didn’t give details, but said arresting and prosecuting offenders was not the best solution.
“You can round people up and hang them, and some countries have done that, but corruption will still be endemic,” he said. “What we are doing is closing the gates” to prevent future corruption.
That, the minister said, doesn’t mean Kibaki’s administration is extending amnesty to those who stole or continue to steal from the government.
The article goes on;
Kenyans in attendance had mixed reactions to Kimunya’s presentation. Kelvin Ngige said that while Kimunya did a great job outlining the number of investment opportunities, he wasn’t pleased with the way the minister said the government was handling corruption.
“He should have explained in depth what mechanisms the government has in place to stop things from falling through the cracks,” Ngige said.
Celestine Ogwel agreed. “I think the minister is in denial about corruption,” Ogwel said.
Quoted from Mshale newspaper article published March 27, 2007 – Kenya Ideal for Investment, Kimunya Tells Diaspora
Filed under: kenya | Tagged: 2007, amos kimunya, us visit
