Ms Karua gave her net worth as Sh66 million, a relatively modest fortune given the immense wealth of top politicians.
“I urge all those who are running for the top seat to follow suit and declare their wealth and allow thepublic to question their mode of acquisition. If you are a true reformer, you need to let the countryknow where you have been getting your wealth,” she said.
Ms Karua’s gesture elevates the debate for integrity in public office for a country where power and corruption go hand-in-hand.
Leaders have gone to great lengths to conceal what they own, and how they came to own it, even as they publicly protest that they are clean and their riches honestly accumulated. Occasionally they trade allegations of looting.
The Narc government, elected in 2002, came into office with reformist zeal and wrote a law requiringpublic officers to declare their wealth annually.
However, the Public Officer Act says that any person who publishes or in any way makes publicany information obtained from people who have declared wealth without prior permission and knowingly republishes or otherwise shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to imprisonment for five years or to a fine not exceeding Sh500,000, or to both.
Serious corruption scandals took place in the Narc government, notably Anglo Leasing, which destroyed its anti-corruption credentials and dented the fight against corruption.
Revelations by former anti-graft czar John Githongo demonstrated that the pressure to raise finances for campaigns was a key factor in high-level corruption.
Declaration of wealth by all presidential candidates would set an example for the rest of the field and deal a serious blow to corruption.
On Monday, Ms Karua said she acquired her riches from her salary as clearly spelt out in a wealth declaration form she submitted to National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende. - Daily Nation
