Leaders must be role models

Editor, I read with disappointment an article in The Sunday Times, March 11, with a headline “60 fail to meet wealth declaration deadline”. The civil servants are reported to have refused to declare their wealth to the office of the Ombudsman despite repeated pleas.

Monday, March 12, 2012

Editor,I read with disappointment an article in The Sunday Times, March 11, with a headline "60 fail to meet wealth declaration deadline”. The civil servants are reported to have refused to declare their wealth to the office of the Ombudsman despite repeated pleas.It’s telling that even after the deadline many could not find any genuine reason why they had missed the deadline. This is not the first time I have read stories involving civil servants who fail to declare their wealth as is required by the Constitution. It looks like it has now become a habit. While there is a general improvement with respect to wealth declaration, it is clear that a lot more needs to be done. There is no reason why a few government officials and civil servants can be allowed to undermine institutions and law.In the public eye, refusing to declare wealth is the last thing you would expect from public employees who we expect to implement government policies and respect the law to the letter. They should lead by example.Stella TetaKicukiro