Business

By John Korir

FINANCE minister Amos Kimunya has reiterated the Government's commitment in fighting graft in the country. He said all implicated individuals in corrupt-related scandals will face the full force of the law. Speaking at County Hall during launch of the Sector Working groups yesterday, Kimunya said the government has not abandoned its objective of fighting corruption in the country.

Let it be known to all that anybody implicated in any form of corruption irrespective of his or her position must face the full force of the law;' said Kimunya. The government has used hundreds of millions of shillings in setting up anti-corruption apparatus, He noted, stressing that the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC) was up and running.

He said all corruption cases were being followed up and will be finalised regardless of the time taken. The minister noted that the economic crime cases were complicated since most of them were committed over long periods of time, spanning various political administrations. On the contentious Kroll report Where high ranking personalities Have been implicated in corrupt practices, the minister said it was up to the anti-corruption authority to follow up the matter alongside the other financial scandal cases.

The minister said the Government has established numerous strategies to fight corruption in the country noting that no stone will be left unturned. During the event the minister said the country has recovered. "I am happy to report that we are now fully recovered economically;' Kimunya said. He said the government has instituted a number of reforms in public financial management."

Kimunya told the participants at the function that the prudent cash management which has been put in place has resulted in better flow of funds to the ministries unlike before when go'Vernment programs were delayed due to inconsistent supply of public resources. The minister at the same time said the streamlining of the procurement process has also greatly improved matters in so far service delivery is concerned.

Kimunya further said that the appropriate tax administration reform measures have resulted in significant increase in revenue collections. He said revenue collection in the country was now in the range of Shs 400b illion annually up from Sh180 billion which was being realized during the previous political dispensation.

In his presentation, Planning and National Development minister, Dr Henry Obwocha said the govern ment will spend a whooping. Sh7 billion during the next 'Population census. scheduled to take place in August 2008.

He said the current population stands at 35.5 million and is projected to hit 40 million people in 2012 and 70 million by the year 2032. The minister outlined. 'Various Government programs contained in the Vision 2030.He said some of the programs have already started being implemented.