PLO in office, puts 'big fish' on notice

By Peter Orengo

Patrick Lumumba officially took charge as the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC) Director with an appeal for political goodwill to win the war against corruption.

Dr Lumumba, speaking at the KACC offices at Integrity Centre Monday, appealed to national organs like the Central Organisation of Trade Unions, teachers’ unions, Media and the Law Society of Kenya to be vigilant in the fight.

He addressed the Press after he was shown his office by the Chairman of the Advisory Board Okong’o Omogeni, and hinted at taking on the ghost of Anglo Leasing head-on, as his first major assignment.

Lumumba: We need AGs co-operation

Last week, the Swiss judicial authorities allowed KACC to proceed with investigations against one of the companies named in the Anglo Leasing scandal.

Notch higher

"The recent judgment on Anglo Leasing cases shows that the window for extending our investigations beyond our country is now open. I want to confirm to Kenyans that the fight against corruption will be won at all fronts," said Lumumba.

With legislation such as the Witness Protection Act and Anti-Money Laundering Act, Lumumba noted the war against corruption should be taken a notch higher.

Like his predecessor Aaron Ringera, who resigned last September at the height of pressure from Parliament, Lumumba declared that no "small or big fish" would be spared.

"We will deal with a few fry as we deal with the so-called big fish. I appeal to Kenyans to make individual vow to fight corruption. Everybody should join the battle because corruption is a burden to every Kenyan," he said.

Lumumba said there were innovative ways to deal with the vice.

"We are not going to shout out that we can’t deliver for lack of prosecutorial powers. What we need is the co-operation of the Attorney General," said Lumumba.

The KACC Director was flanked by Jane Onsongo and Pravin Bowry, who were appointed to serve as assistant directors.

The three take office at the time Transparency International’s graft ratings showed that Kenya had improved from being the most corrupt country in the region and globally by one position.