Former Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung’u has accused President William Ruto of undermining public institutions, saying officials act out of fear because political influence has taken over parts of the system.
Speaking on Thursday, July 30, Ndung’u said Kenya has the capacity to uphold integrity, but that leaders weaken it when they interfere with independent institutions.
“The capacity to do the right thing exists, but it is often undermined by institutional failure, where individuals seek to overrun institutions. Right now, the current president overruns all the institutions, and as a result, everyone within those institutions feels compelled to conform out of fear,” he said.
Ndung’u says he avoided “questionable deals” at Treasury
Ndung’u also said he avoided what he described as questionable transactions during his time at the National Treasury. He said he did not want to engage in actions he believed would leave consequences that would follow him for life, regardless of who leads the government.
“I refused to engage in questionable deals while serving in the Ministry of Finance. I simply couldn’t do it because I knew those actions would follow you to your grave. They don’t disappear when a regime leaves office,” he added.
Ndung’u further said some of his colleagues became entangled in similar issues. He added that unresolved legal and ethical cases continued to affect them until their deaths.
“I had friends who became entangled in such matters, including some at the Central Bank. Even by the time they died, those issues were still haunting them. Their cases were never concluded, and that in itself became a form of punishment,” he said.
Institutional strength key to resisting pressure, Ndung’u says
According to Ndung’u, the strength of both individuals and institutions is what allows public servants to resist improper demands. He noted that political environments are temporary while accountability remains.
“Ultimately, it is only individual and institutional capacity that gives someone the courage to say no, because they understand that the consequences will follow them. Political circumstances change, and the rules of the game also change,” he concluded.
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