Siaya: Corruption within the administration and security sector has seen many Kenyans lose faith in the government and efforts must be made to curb the vice, Cabinet Secretary for Interior Kipchumba Murkomen has said. Speaking in Siaya during the 41st ‘Jukwaa la Usalama’ forum, Murkomen challenged public servants to serve the public diligently without strings attached if they expect respect from those they are employed to serve. ‘One of the things making it very difficult for us to serve is corruption,’ said the CS, adding, ‘It is important that all of us face it as it is.’

According to Kenya News Agency, the interior cabinet secretary said government systems risked being wound up unless decisive steps are taken to deal with the vice. He called on the government administration officers and the police to hold regular public baraza in their areas of operation so as to provide feedback platforms for members of the public.

Speaking during the occasion, deputy inspector general of police Gilbert Masengeli called
for discipline amongst security officers. Masengeli said it was the security officers who should take a lead when it comes to discipline as they cannot expect wananchi to be disciplined when they are not. ‘Let us not let the centre fall apart because when it does, security will be in chaos,’ he said.

Addressing the occasion, Siaya governor James Orengo called for close working relations between the county and national governments. Orengo stressed the need of having more police officers who understand the bill of rights, adding that such officers turn out to be true protectors of citizens.

Bondo member of parliament Gideon Ochanda called on the government to take time and understand the underlying cause of perennial conflicts between Kenya and Uganda over Lake Victoria resources if a solution was to be found. ‘The problem here is fish, which are born in Kenya but later migrate to Uganda,’ he said, adding that Kenyan fishermen find themselves in conflict with the neighbouring country whenever they follow the
mature fish.

Among those who attended the forum were the Nyanza regional commissioner, Flora Mworoa, the acting Siaya county commissioner, Robert Ng’etich; Siaya county assembly speaker, George Okode and his deputy, Oduor Odongo among others.