Has Jubilee done enough to stem corruption?

On 26th March 2015, the country was held by tenterhooks awaiting to hear President Uhuru’s state of the nation address in parliament.

True to the rumours that were going around during that time, the President tabled a list of men and women connected to various corruption scandals in Kenya.

 The 176 individuals were facing investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission. Adversely mentioned individuals on the list were asked to step aside.

In an unprecedented move, President Uhuru gave his speech that culminated in the declaration of corruption as a national security threat.

The pronouncement of corruption as a national threat meant that the state’s intelligence and security organs would now officially join the fight against corruption.

 It also meant that government would enhance the budgetary allocation towards eradicating corruption.

The National Intelligence Service began to pursue information and intelligence on corruption. The National Security Advisory Committee added corruption to its agenda and advice to the National Security Council.

 Under direction from the President, the Multi-Agency Team on Corruption was established. The Multi-Agency team was designed to strategically use the strengths of various institutional mandates and resources to jointly investigate, trace, prosecute and freeze assets acquired through corruption.

The team investigates corruption incidences and undertakes tax compliance. The team was also tasked with bringing to prosecution the perpetrators of corruption including cases such as the NYS saga.

 Under the Multi-Agency framework, over 360 criminal cases are before various anti-corruption courts throughout the country undergoing prosecution.

518 additional corruption cases are under investigation by the EACC. Sh 344 million worth of contraband ethanol, sugar, and rice were destroyed. Sh 1.3 billion worth of tax demands have been undertaken.
 
The Multi-Agency efforts have seen six KRA officials charged with facilitating tax evasion. Sh 158 million in frozen bank accounts.

The Asset Recovery Agency has recovered 17 assets in the form of land, vehicles and business entities

The Office of the Director Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has also secured 25 vehicles, 2 properties and frozen 13 bank accounts in various ivory related cases. In addition, 11 properties, 14 vehicles and 5 businesses from the NYS, the Imperial Bank & Tatu City cases are under investigation.
 
The Office of Attorney General began a review of the legislative and policy framework on corruption. By 2016, Government had recorded the highest number of corruption cases filed in our country’s history.

 As a result of Government’s commitment to fight graft, six Cabinet Secretaries and four Principal Secretaries stepped aside.Other various senior officials within the Presidency and parastatals also stepped aside to pave way for investigations.
 
The Bribery Bill 2015 has been approved by the Cabinet sub-Committee on Legislation, waiting to be tabled in Parliament.

The Bribery Bill 2015 focuses intervention on bribery of foreign officials & private sector. Anti-money laundering and tax evasion strategies have been boosted.

For the first time in Kenya’s history, corruption investigation and tax enforcement measures are simultaneously pursued. Corruption investigation and tax enforcement measures reinforce each other for greater effectiveness
 
 
Specialized anti-corruption courts have been established with two judges and ten magistrates.

The Chief Justice has now directed all corruption cases to be heard on a daily basis to fast track conclusion.

The country has concluded and actioned upon Mutual Legal Assistance Agreements with foreign governments.

The Government has taken action to repatriate funds; extradite suspects, and receive/provide evidence in corruption cases.

The Government has been successful in cases such as Anglo Leasing Proceeds in Switzerland; UK Jersey case etc. The Government continues to receive support from friendly nations e.g. the US in the fight against corruption.

Through the National Anti-Corruption Campaign Steering Committee Kenya continues to entrench corruption prevention and awareness creation campaigns to foster transparency & accountability.

The Kenyan Government continues to inculcate values based anti-corruption messaging.