A group of representatives of NGOs and civil society lobbyists believes they have come up with a novel and viable idea by petitioning parliament to ban Ksh 1,000 and Ksh 500 notes for purposes of fighting the war against graft.
Speaking in a meeting organised in Eldoret on Wednesday, the group was adamant that the move is a viable one since many corrupt officials have not placed their stashed monies in ordinary bank accounts for fear of being uncovered.
Center for Human Rights and Democracy (CHRD) Kipkorir Ng’etich was confident that looters of public funds had them hidden outside banks and changing the denominations would help to catch them.
“There are so many people who have stolen billions of shillings and stashed the money under beds, in holes, bunkers and other areas. Much of the stolen money is in Ksh 1,000 and Ksh 500 notes," Ng’etich asserted on Wednesday.
The civil society groups believe that the initiation of the processes by parliament, changing the law and nature of the nation’s currency, will go a long way in enhancing the rather weak legal framework of fighting graft.
Ng’etich also communicated the group’s position on supporting the fight against corruption by President Uhuru Kenyatta. They commended the president for offering much-needed political support to institutions fighting graft.
“As Kenyans, we must support efforts by the President and the independent institutions because it's only through such that we will salvage our country from politics,” stated Ng'etich.
Other representatives of the civil society groups in the country such as Pauline Chebiwot and Nick Kibet echoed the statements by Ng’etich, going against the position of Rift Valley leaders who have come out to support DP Ruto against graft allegations in full-scale.
Members of the Ruto camp have accused the president, and his new collaborator, leader of opposition Raila Odinga of fighting and sidelining the DP by the corruption accusation while using state apparatuses of investigating agencies like the DCI and the DPP.
Responding to the Rift Valley leaders, Ng’etich indicated, “Surely for any sensible Kenyan who values our motherland, it's immoral to oppose the war on graft. You can only oppose if you know very well that you are involved in looting the coffers of our country.”
“They should carry their own cross and stop dragging the entire community (Kalenjin) into their own bad behaviour," added Ng’etich.
