The sentencing of former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak to prison over the 1MDB corruption scandal has sparked a renewed call for accountability in Kenya.
Najib, who ruled Malaysia from 2009 to 2018, was convicted of abuse of power and money laundering, receiving up to 15 years in jail per major charge, alongside fines and asset recovery orders.
The case exposed billions of ringgit allegedly misappropriated from a state fund, highlighting the consequences of unchecked corruption.
For Busia Senator Okiyah Omtatah, the Malaysian example is a warning to Kenya. Speaking on Tuesday, he said that the verdict illustrates how impunity is a choice, and that citizens and institutions must demand accountability.
“Kenya stands at a crossroads. We can continue normalizing corruption as politics-as-usual, or we can insist that public office is a public trust, not a private entitlement,” Omtatah remarked.
He emphasized the need for robust legal action and fearless institutions to uphold the Constitution and hold powerful officials accountable.
“When the mighty are held to account, the Republic grows stronger. Kenya must learn or pay the price of refusing to learn,” he added.
Analysts say Omtatah’s remarks show a growing public frustration with corruption in Kenya, particularly among senior leaders.
By pointing to Malaysia, he highlights that legal consequences for wrongdoing are possible, even for top political figures, and that Kenya’s future depends on citizens demanding the same standards.
The senator’s call comes at a time when civil society and watchdog groups are intensifying campaigns against corruption, positioning Kenya’s fight for accountability as a test of the nation’s democratic maturity.