Files in Anglo-Leasing and Goldenberg scandals remain open, says EACC Chair Mumo Matemu

Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission Chair Mumo Matemu. (Photo:Standard)

By Frankline Sunday

Nairobi, Kenya: The Anglo-Leasing and Goldenberg case files are far from closed.

In an exclusive interview with The Standard, newly appointed chair of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission Mumo Matemu sought to dissipate skepticism that the beneficiaries of the mega-curruption scandals will walk free.

“The cases are not closed and we are not telling Kenyans to forget and move on,” said Matemu. “We are still receiving evidence and processing what we get from sources from within and outside the country.”

Matemu further said Kenya’s current laws and judicial system are better equipped today than they were five years ago to enable the investigation and prosecution of corruption cases.

“Laws on proceeds of crime and anti-money laundering, financial reporting, integrity of public office holders and asset recovery agreements have been developed and provide the necessary framework to fight grand corruption cases,” he said.

This comes less than a week after former Internal Security minister Chris Murungaru made fresh attempts to clear his name from the Anglo-Leasing scandal, which he claimed led to his political downfall and social disrepute.

Dr Murungaru said the architects of the Anglo-Leasing scandal are known and still exist and that he was accused on false information.

The Anglo-Leasing scandals that shook the Kibaki administration revealed that the Kenyan government had made and paid out tens of billions of shillings in dubious procurement deals.

The projects included a new naval ship, the Postal Corporation of Kenya satellite service procurement, a second-generation passport scheme and a communication system for the Administration Police.

Coming so close after the Narc government assumed office on a zero-tolerance on corruption policy, the scandal saw the fall from grace of high profile Cabinet ministers although some found their way back into government.

Lip service

Only one person was ever convicted over a Sh3 billion passport scandal leading to the perception that the Kibaki government was only paying lip service to the war against corruption and instead shielding powerful politicians who were looting the public coffers.

“We shall not be looking at the size of the fish but the case and if the law has been broken then those who are liable will be prosecuted,” stated Mr Matemu.

The renewed zeal to fight corruption is not limited to past cases but several recent corruption and integrity cases are being probed and those guilty are being put on notice.

These include the recent report by the auditor general, which revealed that in the past financial year, over Sh300 billion was misappropriated by officials across various ministries and departments.