Hi °C | Lo °C I MUST congratulate the Government for demanding the repayment of its share of $47m in Western aid stolen by Kenyan officials between 2005 and 2009.
And, most especially, for making it clear to the Kenyans that their government will be handling no more UK aid until there is convincing evidence of substantial improvements in integrity and financial management.
Only by applying such rigorous methods of oversight and recovery can we hope to see the majority of aid reach those for whom it is intended - the poorest of the poor.
It's patently clear that the West's laissez-faire attitude to aid distribution has failed abysmally. A lack of insistence on proper accountability has led to the enrichment and entrenchment of numerous tyrants and their coteries.
This has meant that entire populations have lost out, kept locked in a vicious cycle of poverty and deprivation, which undermines the whole purpose of aid.
The Government is now setting the standard for Western donors. As well as substantially increasing its overseas budget, the UK has put in place a stringent oversight body and adopted a zero-tolerance policy to corruption. Hopefully other Western donors will soon follow suit.
JOHN O'SHEA
Chief executive, GOAL
