ODM leader Raila Odinga has sounded the alarm over rampant corruption in both the national and county governments.
He warned that the vice threatens Kenya’s development and must be tackled decisively across all sectors of society.
Speaking on Thursday at the 2025 Devolution Conference in Homa Bay County, Raila dismissed claims that corruption is predominantly a county-level issue, insisting that the problem is widespread and deeply rooted in every arm of government—including the Executive, Legislature, Judiciary, and even the private sector.
“Corruption is in all aspects of our lives. It is rampant in the Executive, at the national level and in counties as well,” Raila said.
He identified procurement and revenue collection as the main areas where corruption thrives, calling for urgent reforms to plug financial leakages and improve public accountability.
“These are areas where we need to eliminate corruption,” he emphasised.
Raila also criticised Parliament, saying it had become a breeding ground for corruption through misuse of parliamentary committees, which he claimed are often influenced by disgruntled contractors seeking to derail projects.
“A lot of money is being wasted by people who are supposed to be working productively being summoned to appear before Parliamentary committees,” he said.
He accused some lawmakers of acting on behalf of losing bidders and using their oversight roles to extort the Executive and delay development.
“Parliament is also an impediment to government projects because lawmakers are being corrupted by contractors,” he said.
Turning to the Judiciary, Raila expressed concern over compromised justice, suggesting that bribery and court orders are increasingly being used to obstruct legal processes.
“Rather than wasting my money hiring a lawyer, I’d rather
buy a judge,” he said, quoting a sentiment he claimed was becoming common among
Kenyans.
“A criminal will rush to court to get an order to prevent arrest.”
He further called out the private sector, noting that unhealthy competition for contracts often fuels the cycle of corruption.
“Then the private sector is where there is competition for contracts,” he said, implying that businesses are also complicit in the vice through bribery and collusion.
