Another Corruption Scandal: President Kenyatta office has 2,7bn unaccounted for!

There is not a crime, there is not a dodge, there is not a trick, there is not a swindle, there is not a vice which does not live by secrecy.”Joseph Pulitzer

In Kenya it is ordinary that the Jubilee Administration of the President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto. This administration has had so many scandals and corruption cases, that this is too common. It is a rare occasion if there isn’t some scheme, some funds missing or some development project funding siphoned away. That is so common, that the amounts of funds or state reserves eaten would be a hectic calculation. This has been steadily going on since 2013 and continues until the next term.

The President has promised to tackle corruption and corrupt officials, but now his own direct office has mismanaged funds for years. Therefore, it is deliberately and done with purpose, as they didn’t anticipate it backfiring or even being leaked. They worked directly with the President and at this point, he is sort of untouchable, as well as his cronies who have also done illicit acts within the administration. Therefore, this sort of scandal fits a bit to perfectly.

Presidential Office spent 2,7bn unaccounted for:

A report by the Auditor General revealed that the President’s office cannot satisfactorily account for over Sh2.7 billion spent over three years. An examination of records shows the Presidency spent Sh2,729,192,010 on ‘confidential expenditure’ in three financial years. The Presidency provided certificates to support the expenditure and said the purpose and particulars of the expenditure cannot be made public. However, the report by Auditor General Edward Ouko indicates that unsatisfactory matters regarding the confidential expenditure between 2014 and 2016 financial years remain unresolved” (Patrick Vidija – ‘Uhuru’s office fails to account for Sh2.7bn spent in three years – Auditor General’ 07.12.2018, link: https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2018/12/07/uhurus-office-fails-to-account-for-sh27bn-spent-in-three-years-auditor_c1862734).

This is not the biggest eating challenge. That the Office of the President have now spent Sh. 2,7bn which they cannot account for. In USD this is $26,678,305 or $26,6m. That is a big amount of money, which could have been used to do what they where supposed to. Instead, they might have gone to side-dishes, own President on fancy cars and houses. If not his real-estate or any of his businesses to expand them. Because, they cannot show where the money really went.

That is just the mere observation of what the Auditor General are saying. That the AG cannot find the proof of spending of $26m between 2014 to 2016. Clearly, these funds was spent on whatever the President saw fit. Whoever knows where it went, as the Office of President are calling it confidential.

President Kenyatta has to answer for this, as the Life Style Audit should start here, if it isn’t mere words or PR.

He and his PR team can cook-up whatever, the President and his Team cannot run away from this. Kenyatta is again proving his acts of graft. Kenyatta is proving how corrupt he is. Uhuru knows this. But he will play that he doesn’t know.

Time to put to rest the fight against corruption. Unless the President wants to fight himself and the Presidents Men. However, that will not happen, because he will reveal all the thieving and that will not be something grand, but instead something sinister. Peace.

Security Council Press Statement on Sexual Violence in South Sudan (07.12.2018)

South Sudan: SPLM-IG – David Nok Marial Buot – Resignation from the SPLM/SPLA (05.12.2018)

Joint UN-AU Statement on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence in South Sudan (05.12.2018)

The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the African Union Commissioner for Peace and Security, Ambassador Smaїl Chergui, and United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director for UN Women, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka are appalled by the acts of sexual violence, including rape, committed against an estimated more than 150 women and girls recently near Bentiu in South Sudan.

Recalling their joint visit to South Sudan and Bentiu only two months ago, Mr. Lacroix, Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka and Ambassador Chergui note the continued brutality to which women and girls are subjected and the lack of accountability.  They met with women who were hopeful about the signing of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) in September 2018, but remained concerned and fearful about the fragile peace and security in their communities. This type of predatory behaviour is abhorrent and must end immediately.

The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, the Executive Director of UN Women and the African Union Commissioner for Peace and Security recalled the resolve of Government authorities to address sexual violence. Given that these recent attacks took place in Government controlled areas, the three urge President Salva Kiir and his senior leadership to expedite efforts to prevent such violence, including through immediate justice and accountability measures.

Further, they urge all parties to the conflict in South Sudan to implement their obligations to address sexual violence and restore the dignity of the women and children of South Sudan, as well as prosecute those responsible to the fullest extent.

The United Nations and African Union stand ready to assist the parties in finding a political solution to the conflict, through the full implementation of their commitments to the Agreement, as well as continue to advocate for the safety of women and girls and their access to services and justice.

Press statement of the African Union High-Level Ad Hoc Committee for South Sudan visit to Juba (05.12.2018)

Kenya: Moratorium for Mandatory Vetting of Civilians Firearms Holders (05.12.2018)

South Sudan: Termination of membership of defectors from FDP/SSAF (05.12.2018)

South Sudan: SSOA – Press Statement (04.12.2018)

DPP Press Statement on the Application to Bar State Officers Charged with Corruption from remaining in Office pending determination of their cases (04.12.2018)

Statement attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General on South Sudan (04.12.2018)

Rape and other forms of sexual violence have been a consistent feature of the conflict in South Sudan, used both as a tactic of war and a driver of forced displacement.

NEW YORK, United States of America, December 4, 2018 – The Secretary-General strongly condemns the brutal sexual attacks perpetrated against women and girls in the last ten days in the Unity region of South Sudan. These horrific acts are a distressing reminder of how, despite recent recommitments by South Sudan’s leaders to a cessation of hostilities and a revitalized peace agreement, the security situation for civilians remains dire, especially for women and children.

Rape and other forms of sexual violence have been a consistent feature of the conflict in South Sudan, used both as a tactic of war and a driver of forced displacement. The Secretary-General underlines that such predatory behavior against the most vulnerable is unacceptable.

The Secretary-General urges the leaders of all the parties to the conflict – and future leaders in the Transitional Government of National Unity – to ensure the safety of civilians and address impunity for these crimes through investigation and prosecution of perpetrators, including through the operationalization of the Hybrid Court, as an immediate priority.

The Secretary-General underlines that the only viable solution for the security and prosperity of the people of South Sudan is the immediate cessation of hostilities and the full implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan. The United Nations stands ready to support all national, regional and international efforts to that effect.