By NANCY AGUTU, The Star
President Uhuru Kenyatta has said he has lost lots of friends in the last few weeks as the fight against impunity intensifies.
He wants government officials who approved the construction of buildings on riparian land arrested and prosecuted.
This was after National Environment Management Authority demolished the multi-billion shillings Southend Mall on Lang’ata Road for being on riparian reserve.
More on this: Prosecute officials who authorised buildings on riparian land – Uhuru
Speaking during a church service on Sunday, Uhuru said he has been receiving many calls from friends who claim he is seated yet demolitions were taking place.
“I have been receiving many calls that you know.. how can you just watch and see these destructions going on,? You must stop it!.. and I say to them, It is difficult to stop not because we love to destroy but we must fight impunity,” he said.
“… because if we fail we will not achieve our dreams and a time has come for us to fight impunity. ”
Uhuru said a time has come that Kenyans must realise that no matter how much money you have, it cannot save you.
“Not matter how much money you have or big friends in big places, it will not save you …We must recognise that for Kenya to succeed, impunity must end,” he said.
He said Kenyans must fight corruption adding that graft is a force that “prevents us from achieving our dreams”.
This comes a day embattled National Land Commission chairman Muhammad Swazuri was arrested over alleged purchase of dubious land for the standard gauge railway.
Police also arrested the commission’s chief executive/secretary Chavangi Aziz Tom and Kenya Railways Managing Director Atanas Maina.
“We must reach a stage that it is not who you know, whether you know the President …that should not be what makes a human being,”Uhuru said.
“No, it should not be how much money you have. Judge yourselves by your characters, judge yourselves by the abilities and talents that God has given you. We must reward on the basis of what a human being has done.”
Uhuru said Kenyans should use their skills and innovation to better lives.
“It is possible and I believe its possible. We nee to join together and fight this battle. That is the only way our dream will become a reality. As we were told let us loose friend we will gain others us we move forward,” he said.
“Let us loose friends and do that which is right in the eyes of God. The power of change resides in each one of us.”
Source: The Star
