Kenyans Online React as Zambian MPs Troop to Kenya for a Benchmarking Tour On How to Fight Corruption

Kenyans have taken to the social media to react to news that a Zambian parliamentary delegation is in Kenya to learn how to effectively fight corruption.

The Star reports that the Zambia's Parliament Committee on Privileges, Absences and Support Services held discussions with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) Commissioners at Integrity Centre in Nairobi to benchmark on how the agency has been approaching the war on graft. 

The team, made of eight MPs landed at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) over the weekend and held its first sitting with EACC officers on Monday.

"This is a study tour by our colleagues from the Zambian National Assembly. We are sharing experiences on fighting corruption and promoting ethics," EACC commissioner Mwaniki Gachoka said.

"We are fighting corruption through many strategies. One of the is law enforcement - investigating cases and recommending them to the DPP." 

Garry Nkombo, who is leading the Zambian MPs, said the group was in Kenya to learn best practices in taming graft in governance.

"We recognise the fact that corruption does exist and want to learn how Kenya has been dealing with it. It is generally agreed that corruption cannot be fought with kids' gloves," Nkombo said

"We are here to learn how the EACC is managing it, bearing in mind that those who engage in corruption remain very powerful and with the mandate to look after the aspirations of the people they govern."

However, the move appears ironical given that Kenya has been listed as one of the most corrupt nations in the continent. 

The visit also comes in the wake of numerous corruption scandal at different state agencies including National Youth Service (Sh9 billion), the National Cereals and Produce Board (Sh1.9 billion), Kenya Pipeline Company (Sh95 billion), and the National Irrigation Board among others.

Here is what a section of Kenyans had to say about the benchmarking tour by the South African nation's MPs.

Michael Igogo said: " Heheee! Next will be Governor Waititu visiting Oxford University to give English lecturers."

Francis Mutuma noted:" Aaiiii hii no noma labda wajifunze kusupply air ama sun juu haijafika kwao...ama warudi wakiwa more experienced kwa kujua kuiba pia..."

Kelvin Tommy said:" Unaenda kubench mark kwa shule inascore D+ mean grade?"

Kivindyo Ndumi said:" I think it was an printing error ..the word missing meant to be inserted is NOT.....how not to fight corruption..am sure they will apologise for the printing error kesho."

Gichuru Mwangi noted: "This is the height of irony! Kenyans, including their overglorified leaders have no capacity to instil good values and manners to anyone, including themselves!"

Mark Kegoli said:"This is ironical.... They are in a wrong place then.... They have just come to learn more skills on how to loot... Pure headline should read ". Zambian mps to learn corruption courses in Kenya!.. Nonsense."

Sarah Ngugi noted: " Cheeiii the devil is a liar. When you go back home you will be a celebrated master of corruption."