President William Ruto has admitted that corruption is still a big challenge in some key government institutions, including the Executive, 15 years since the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution.

Ruto made the remarks during Katiba Day, which was set aside to reflect on the hits and misses since the Constitution was promulgated by the late President Mwai Kibaki.

“Corruption remains one of the greatest threats to our nation’s progress. It not only undermines our economy but also weakens the core institutions of the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary.”

In an attempt to tame the vice, President Ruto said his administration has taken bold steps by digitising and automating government services to curb graft.

“No office, no title, and no individual is above the law,” he said, urging Parliament to pass stronger laws to tighten ethical standards and eliminate abuse of office, calling for swift and evidence-based prosecution of any public official, regardless of rank or title.

During the ceremony at the KICC, the disciplined forces paraded the Instruments of State, including the Coat of Arms, the Constitution, the Public Seal and the Flag, in what was said to show the desire to defend the Constitution.

Ruto also took time to reflect on the gains in various institutions, including the Judiciary, noting that its independence will help in expediting cases, thus delivering justice on time.

“Justice delayed is justice defiled and denied. Our Judiciary must be independent, uphold integrity, and dispense justice without fear or favour. I have heard terms like ‘jurispesa’ are used to describe our courts, which puts public trust in jeopardy,” he said.

To support the Judiciary, President Ruto said he had overseen the recruitment of 47 judges when he came into office and that he is in the process of hiring 50 more, bringing the total to 97 in three years.

During the ceremony, representatives of various institutions, including the Council of Governors, Parliament, the Judiciary, the Auditor-General, and other experts engaged in an open panel to air their views 15 years on since the Constitution came into place.

Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo, who spoke on behalf of Parliament, noted that while some milestones have been achieved, the House had lost trust among members of the public.
At the same time, he appealed to the Executive to lessen the chokehold on Parliament to allow proper service delivery.

The Council of Governors, for their part, appealed to the President that they needed more resources, even though some constitutional experts had claimed that wastage of public resources was still the order of the day in the counties.

But in response during his speech, Ruto urged the governors to also find a way of raising revenues through Own Source Revenue.

“Please help me mobilise resources at the grassroots. In the course of trying to collect and channel resources effectively, I have even earned the nickname ‘Zakayo’. But let us understand that resource mobilisation is not just a national duty but a shared responsibility,” noted Ruto.

Adding that, “As you urge the national government to transfer more resources to counties, I equally urge you to look for local opportunities to enhance your own resource base.”

While the Social Health Authority is currently facing some challenges, Ruto noted that about 27 million Kenyans so far have registered for the programme.
“I commend county governments for working in partnership with us to deliver this UHC promise,” he noted.

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, in part of his speech, called for more reforms in the National Police Service and respect for human rights, among other freedoms, citing that Kenyans have come a long way in the struggle for freedoms that we enjoy today.

“Those who have come of age towards the tail end of the very protracted struggle or under this Constitution may not believe it; but there was a time when being perceived to be harbouring thoughts about a new Constitution landed people in jail,” Raila said.

“It is my belief that this annual Constitution Day will be an avenue for a robust take on our Constitution, what works and what is failing. That was never allowed in the past. I want to encourage Kenyans to engage with this new development now and into the future, in the interest of our nation,” he said.