Kenyan President labels compatriots ‘thieves’

The President of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta has issued his most damning comments about his nationals when he said during a state visit to Israel that Kenyans are “experienced in stealing and perpetuating other crimes”.

Kenyatta also added that Kenya was “20 times more wonderful” than Israel, but “all we ever do is complain”.

Read also: Atheists sue Kenyan govt over holiday for Pope’s visit

In an address to Kenyans living in Israel, Mr Kenyatta who has been accused of failing to do enough to curb corruption and of stirring up ethnic violence said Kenyans were also abusers, and promoted tribalism.

According to BBC’s Wanyama Chebusiri in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, his comments were seen as an attempt to encourage Kenyans to develop their country, like Israel.

But on the other hand, many Kenyans believe that the president’s speech was just rhetoric, and he was not serious about tackling corruption or ethnic divisions in the East African state.

“They complain that ethnicity determines whether they get government jobs, and bribery and corruption are endemic in government,” BBC’s Wanyama added.

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