National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi has admitted that corruption has escalated in the recent past and there is a need to find a way to minimise it.
For several months now, President Uhuru Kenyatta has threatened to have even 'his closest political allies and family friends' punished if found culpable of stealing State resources.
In a candid statement, Muturi on Tuesday challenged leaders to rise to the occasion and admit that corruption is real, adding that such moves would help in fighting it.
"Let's just accept it. Corruption is the killer which has sabotaged development. Time has come for us to accept that it's real. Our people cannot get government services just because of graft. We must now work with President Uhuru Kenyatta and ensure that the vice is minimised if we cannot curb it. The president is committed and it's us who should now change the tact and own the vice," said Muturi.
In the last few months, both the State and Judiciary have been blaming each other, even as the two organs agreed to work together to ensure culprits are nailed.
Leaders from across the political divide have sharply differed over the method used, with Deputy President William Ruto often accusing the government of using the war against corruption to his detriment.
Already, a number of top government officials have been dragged to the courts, with former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero spending four days in police cells last week.