Uhuru: Corruption war to be led by all institutions in Kenya

Multiple Government agencies will lead the new war on corruption, which the President declared a threat to national security.

The police, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, judiciary and prisons are the institutions mandated by law to fight graft.

Others include the Auditor General’s office, Public Procurement Oversight Authority, Parliament, Kenya Revenue Authority, Central Bank, banks, whistle blowers, Asset Recovery Agency and the Financial Reporting Centre and the Attorney General’s office.

Nairobi County Council workers leave Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission headquarters after recording statements. The officers who were working as tax collectors were found in possession of Sh 124,000, which they could not explain to the graft body. (PHOTO: JENNIFER WACHIE/STANDARD)

“The National Intelligence Service should pursue information and intelligence on corruption and bring it to my attention, and to the attention of the relevant investigating and prosecution bodies. The National Security Advisory Committee will declare corruption, particularly which impacts security, in its agenda and advise the National Security Council,” said President Kenyatta.

He added: “I believe that corruption is a standing threat to our national security. The bribe accepted by an official can lead to successful terrorist attacks that kill Kenyans. It can let a criminal off the hook to return to crime, harming Kenyans. Terrorism itself is a national security threat.”

He made a plea to the institutions to up their game in taming the increasing rate of corruption.

“I want to again urge the DPP, the EACC, the Judiciary, Parliament, the private sector, and all Kenyans, including Government officials, to rally around our path to transformation,” he added.

 Whistle blowers

He said they would make it expensive for anyone stealing from Kenyans and denying them education, health, security, infrastructure, water and other services that they work so hard to receive form their Government.

President Kenyatta said Kenya has signed mutual legal aid agreements with a number of countries that have committed to identifying and dealing, in their jurisdictions, with illicit wealth acquired in Kenya.

He said they would become stronger players in the diplomatic arena in encouraging actions that promoted global financial integrity.

He urged the world to make itself inhospitable to corruption as it is what finances terrorism and urged Kenya’s partners to enact similar laws because bribery knows no boundaries.

For whistle blowers, Uhuru said that they would be protected if a proposed law was enacted.

Kenyatta directed the AG to complete the work with all players to quickly enact a whistle-blower protection legislation that would ensure that those who come forward with information on corrupt practices are protected.

Banks were also put on notice after the President said he had met the Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya, and the head of the Financial Reporting Centre, to discuss and agree how to ensure the banking system was not used to launder the proceeds of theft and fraud.

“From today, those banks that break our anti-money laundering laws and regulations will, at a minimum, lose their banking licences,” he said.

He said CBK and the Financial Reporting Centre are, as a matter of urgency, should strengthen their supervision function.

Uhuru said Chief Justice Willy Mutunga had agreed to work with the National Council of Administrative Justice to actualise the fast-tracking of corruption and economic cases as envisaged in the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act.

He directed that all officers working at the Kenya Revenue Authority and the Customs and Immigration departments undergo integrity and competency vetting by an independent agency.

The President also said that the Public Procurement Oversight Authority would henceforth widely publish its periodical price reference list for goods and service, adding that the Asset Recovery Agency would institute proceedings to recover monies from companies that, through collusion with public officials, supplied goods above the price reference lists.

Uhuru directed the Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service to report to him weekly the progress in implementing the measures he announced.