EACC bans members of public from accompanying suspects

NAIROBI, KENYA: The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has banned members of the public from accompanying those who have been summoned to appear before the commission for ongoing investigations.
EACC Chief Executive Officer Halakhe Waqo in a statement noted that a number of those summoned to appear before the commission have adopted a culture of arriving at Integrity Center while accompanied by huge crowds of people in the name of demonstrating support and solidarity with them.
Mr Waqo said EACC is currently undertaking investigations touching on the high profile government officials who President Uhuru Kenyatta asked to step aside pending conclusion of investigations.
He said the crowds accompanying those who mentioned in the so called 'List of Shame' end up causing distraction at EACC offices as well as disrupting and interfering with provision of services to other deserving Kenyans.
"The commission wishes to condemn this practice in the strongest terms possible. Persons summoned for questioning to any of our offices should only be accompanied by such persons whose presence in the interviewing may be required such as advocates or witnesses," Mr Waqo said.
He said the commission shall require proper identification of the advocates or witnesses accompanying those who have been summoned to appear before EACC.