Attorney General confirms State yet to set up asset recovery unit

By RAWLINGS OTIENO

Kenya: Attorney General Githu Muigai has said the Campaign Finance Bill aimed at checking Political Parties expenditure during campaigns will be looked at afresh.

The AG said the Cabinet has already given a green light for a review of  the Bill before bringing it back to Parliament for debate.

“I have already received the Campaign Financing Bill for refurbishment before it is tabled in Parliament. This Bill, once enacted, will check how political parties spend campaign cash,” said Muigai.

The AG made the remarks yesterday during the Annual Kenya Integrity Forum on Leadership and Integrity.

Prof Muigai at the same time said the Government was yet to establish an Asset Recovery Unit, saying Kenya had performed poorly in its mission to recover funds stashed abroad by prominent personalities.

The Asset Recovery Agency, a semi-autonomous body to be based in the AG’s office, was established through the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2009.

The country had turned to the West and international financial systems to recover the assets and Muigai asserts that his office has been grappling with technical and financial obstacles in its bid to set up the agency.

Once established, the unit will be tasked with recovery of public assets.

Financial challenges

“Whereas the office of the Attorney General is desirous of getting the Asset Recovery Agency up and running, we are faced with technical and financial challenges,” he said.

At the same time, Muigai warned that the country must watch on graft lest it be devolved to the counties

“Corruption is real and we must deal with it so that we as we devolve functions of the government, we should not devolve corruption,” said the AG.

Speaking on the sidelines of the conference, NGO Council Chief Executive Kevinna Loyatum put on notice corrupt NGOs diverting funds meant for  various projects.

“The public must be vigilant and monitor NGOs working in their midst. We must deal firmly with those individuals perpetuating the vice,” said Loyatum.

She reiterated the role of civil society (including NGOs) in the war again corruption through implementation of international anti-corruption instruments.

She said the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan Committee has devised various measures aimed at stepping up the war against  graft.

“Corruption denies the citizens values and subverts economic growth, perpetuates under-development and increase poverty. The giver and the receiver of bribes are both corrupt and this fight against corruption begins with an individual,” added the NGO boss.