Kacc tells Kenyans to expect 'big' announcement

Kenya Anti Corruption Commission Director Patrick Lumumba in a pensive mood during a courtesy call at the National Council of NGOs offices in Nairobi April 12, 2011. The anti-graft watchdog told Kenyans to brace for a “big” announcement on Friday.TOM MARUKO

By LUCAS BARASA and WALTER MENYA
Posted  Tuesday, April 12 2011 at 14:05

The Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission is expected to make a “big” announcement on Friday.

Speaking to the Nation Tuesday, Kacc spokesman Nicholas Simani said the country should wait for the big announcement at a press event. He, however, declined to give a hint of what the announcement would entail.

There is speculation that Kacc is expected to announce new high profile investigations into corruption scandals anytime and indicate whom it will take to court over graft.

While paying a courtesy call to the chairman of National Council of NGOs Ken Wafula at his Nairobi office, Kacc director Patrick Lumumba said the anti-graft watchdog will give a progress report of its investigations soon.

“There’s time for everything,” Prof Lumumba said.

On his part, Mr Simani also disagreed with sentiments that the body had slowed down in its pursuit of graft.

“We have not slackened at all,” he said.

“We shall be coming out with our guns blazing, no fear at all, no one will intimidate us."

However, Kacc, Mr Simani added, would want Kenyans to understand that it cannot go to court on its own without receiving the go-ahead from the AG.

“We cannot go to court until we receive files from the AG,” the spokesman added.

Prof Lumumba agreed with Mr Wafula that individuals wishing to vie for various positions in the county governments should be vetted to avoid transferring corruption to the grassroots.

“Anybody vying for any seat should be vetted to see if found to be involved in graft should not be allowed to vie in next elections,” Prof Lumumba said.

Saying corruption must be fought by all Kenyans, Prof Lumumba warned if nothing is done, the country would not achieve Vision 2030. The country hopes to be a middle level industrialised country by 2030.

He regretted that farmers were currently lacking seeds to plant, hospitals have no drugs and that Kenyans were wondering how money from donors was used.

Prof Lumumba said Kacc will partner with the National Council of NGOs and other organisations to fight graft.

“We are moving from organisation to organisation to recruit allies so that we can a formidable force to fight graft. Through its network, the National Council for NGOs gives us a better platform to fight graft,” the director said.

Kacc, he added, would also soon launch Operation Maliza Ufisadi (operation to eradicate graft) in all counties to fight the scourge.

Mr Wafula who was accompanied by officials George Obondo, Jacob Ngumi, Kevinnah Loyatum and J.K. A Busii said the fight against corruption is not Kacc’s alone but about all Kenyans.

He regretted that a number of individuals named in graft were eyeing new county positions a thing that could result to decentralization of the vice to the grassroots and that if not stopped they would hinder the performance of the units.

“Those who have stolen from Kenyans should be barred from contesting,” Mr Wafula said.

The Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission is expected to make a “big” announcement on Friday.

Speaking to the Nation Tuesday, Kacc spokesman Nicholas Simani said the country should wait for the big announcement at a press event. He, however, declined to give a hint of what the announcement would entail.

There is speculation that Kacc is expected to announce new high profile investigations into corruption scandals anytime and indicate whom it will take to court over graft.

While paying a courtesy call to the chairman of National Council of NGOs Ken Wafula at his Nairobi office, Kacc director Patrick Lumumba said the anti-graft watchdog will give a progress report of its investigations soon.

“There’s time for everything,” Prof Lumumba said.

On his part, Mr Simani also disagreed with sentiments that the body had slowed down in its pursuit of graft.

“We have not slackened at all,” he said.

“We shall be coming out with our guns blazing, no fear at all, no one will intimidate us."

However, Kacc, Mr Simani added, would want Kenyans to understand that it cannot go to court on its own without receiving the go-ahead from the AG.

“We cannot go to court until we receive files from the AG,” the spokesman added.

Prof Lumumba agreed with Mr Wafula that individuals wishing to vie for various positions in the county governments should be vetted to avoid transferring corruption to the grassroots.

“Anybody vying for any seat should be vetted to see if found to be involved in graft should not be allowed to vie in next elections,” Prof Lumumba said.

Saying corruption must be fought by all Kenyans, Prof Lumumba warned if nothing is done, the country would not achieve Vision 2030. The country hopes to be a middle level industrialised country by 2030.

He regretted that farmers were currently lacking seeds to plant, hospitals have no drugs and that Kenyans were wondering how money from donors was used.

Prof Lumumba said Kacc will partner with the National Council of NGOs and other organisations to fight graft.

“We are moving from organisation to organisation to recruit allies so that we can a formidable force to fight graft. Through its network, the National Council for NGOs gives us a better platform to fight graft,” the director said.

Kacc, he added, would also soon launch Operation Maliza Ufisadi (operation to eradicate graft) in all counties to fight the scourge.

Mr Wafula who was accompanied by officials George Obondo, Jacob Ngumi, Kevinnah Loyatum and J.K. A Busii said the fight against corruption is not Kacc’s alone but about all Kenyans.

He regretted that a number of individuals named in graft were eyeing new county positions a thing that could result to decentralization of the vice to the grassroots and that if not stopped they would hinder the performance of the units.

“Those who have stolen from Kenyans should be barred from contesting,” Mr Wafula said.