Kenya Revenue Authority Chairman Nderitu Muriithi says corruption and limited resources should not be used as excuses to block Kenya’s economic transformation, arguing that many countries that have successfully transformed faced similar challenges but chose to confront them rather than surrender to them.
He said the real obstacle to progress is not the existence of problems, but how societies respond to them.
Speaking during an interview on Radio Generation, Muriithi noted that even countries often cited as models of good governance are not free of corruption.
“People say, look, Singapore, no corruption, yet when they talk about that, they’ll still tell you a minister had to commit suicide when he was found being corrupt,” he said.
“So you can’t say there is zero corruption. It is simply that they have been able to deal with it better.”
He also pointed to Costa Rica, which recently attained high-income status despite grappling with serious challenges.
“If you look at a country like Costa Rica… they have significant problems, including issues of drugs,” Muriithi said, adding that corruption and other social problems did not stop the country from advancing. “They have not put it as a complete barrier that we cannot go beyond here.”
Muriithi welcomed the growing national debate on whether Kenya can transform economically, describing it as a positive step.
“First of all, it’s a great thing we’re having this debate. Can we transform Kenya or not?” he said. While acknowledging that not everyone will be convinced, he argued that progress only requires a critical mass. “We may never convince 100 per cent of Kenyans. I think we just need to convince a critical mass that transformation is possible.”
According to the KRA chairman, counties provide a powerful platform for driving change if resources are used creatively and efficiently. “It’s not simply a question of whether you have lots and lots of resources,” he said. “It’s also a question of how well are you utilizing those resources. Are you being imaginative with those resources?”
As an example, Muriithi cited ongoing infrastructure projects in Mandera County, including plans to build two bridges to boost cross-border trade with Ethiopia.
“The bridge will be built by ourselves. We will build the trade facilitation stuff. It’s going to happen. We are at the contracting stage,” he said, noting that the focus must then shift to production and trade.
Muriithi concluded that Kenya’s transformation is achievable, warning that “the biggest barrier is mindset,” compounded by leaders who try to persuade citizens that progress is impossible.
