Corruption biggest threat to development, says Imam

The Jamia Mosque deputy Imam Sheikh Juma Amir .(Courtesy)

FRIDAY BULLETIN

NAIROBI—The scourge of corruption remains the biggest threat to national development and it is also among the major contributor to the increased levels of insecurity in the country.

The Jamia Mosque deputy Imam Sheikh Juma Amir said that corruption has denied Kenyan citizens their rights, has stagnated infrastructure development and deprived Kenyans of essential services in government institutions.

The Sheikh called on Muslim leaders across the country to take lead and be at the forefront with their counterparts from other faiths in the fight and crusade against corruption to eliminate the vice in the Kenyan as he affirmed that “Islam has no room or tolerance for corruption.”

“It is high time that this problem is boldly confronted by all religious leaders as it has become the biggest threat facing the nation,” he said during the Jumua Khutba (sermon) last Friday.

Sheikh Juma decried increased corruption in the country saying the trend is killing the country’s economy and increasing insecurity and observed that graft was the main cause of poverty and underdevelopment in society.

“Corruption had led to drug shortage, poor road and deprived Kenyans of essential services in government institutions,” he said.

He stressed that a few corrupt individuals should not cause suffering of more than 42 million people in the country and religious leaders cannot continue to bury their heads under the sand while Kenyans continued to suffer from the pangs of corruption.

The Imam said until people in the top leadership of the country entrusted with a position of authority decided to set good examples in society by shunning the vice, the nation’s attempt at fighting corruption would not work.

Sheikh Juma pointed out that in Islam, it is a collective responsibility to expose and stop any abuse of power and authority and called on people entrusted with a position of authority in the community to shun corruption.

He further called for the conduct of training and capacity building with a view of enhancing integrity and values in the county’s leadership and public service.