Obstructing EACC officers a criminal act

Yesterday morning, officers from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) raided the home of Muranga County Governor Mwangi wa Iria. Though it is not yet clear what they were after, they took away some documents after conducting a search.

Apparently, during the house search, rowdy supporters of the governor stormed his home and confronted the investigating officers, momentarily disrupting the exercise.

Obstructing justice or using unorthodox means to intimidate or harass police officers and those from the EACC while in their line of duty is unacceptable and the governor should be made to bear the consequences of the unfortunate action. EACC must be allowed and given all the cooperation necessary to conduct its work especially where the subject believes he is innocent as Mr Iria has insisted.

Mr Iria is not new to controversy. Last year, he survived an ouster after a Senate committee cleared him of charges of among other things, misuse of public funds, misconduct and the accumulation of debts without involving the county assembly. It was also claimed that the governor had spent more than Sh28 million on Shilingi Kwa Shilingi, a co-operative society, yet it was a private company.

Previously, officers from EACC had arrested him in what was believed to be a corruption-related case over a bouncing cheque involving the supply of animal feed. The governor has denied the claim.

It must be impressed upon Mr Iria and others that mobilising supporters to subvert investigations is a criminal offence. At all times, all of us, most of all public leaders, ought to respect the rule of law.

Yet despite that, there are cases where EACC officers have been accused of using unnecessary force and disrespecting the rights of those under probe in the night raids. That has sullied its image and could inform the unlawful reaction from Mr Iria's supporters. That needs to be addressed urgently to restore public trust and confidence in the institution.