Photo/FILE Kenya Anti-corruption Commission director Patrick Lumumba, who took up the top job at Integrity House in July last year, is increasingly coming under pressure to quit tough talk and act to tackle the malaise through which Kenya has lost billions of shillings.
By EMEKA-MAYAKA GEKARA gmayaka@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Sunday, July 10 2011 at 22:30
Posted Sunday, July 10 2011 at 22:30
Individuals with ill-gotten wealth have the last opportunity to surrender the property to the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission in return for amnesty.
KACC director PLO Lumumba on Sunday said the commission would formally invite those who acquired wealth through corrupt means in its bid to close files on old corruption.
“This week we will publish a formal invitation asking those with ill-gotten wealth to come forward, give full disclosure and surrender in exchange for amnesty,” he told the Nation.
The announcement came as Prof Lumumba was accused, for the second time in a week by a minister, of engaging in more rhetoric than fighting corruption.
Justice minister Mutula Kilonzo, who appeared to side with his Lands counterpart James Orengo, faulted the KACC boss for joining lawyers to demonstrate against corruption at Ardhi House.
“I have my doubts on whether the KACC director should lead demonstrations instead of arresting corruption suspects and liaising with the Director of Public Prosecutions to ensure that they face justice,” the minister said.
KACC falls under Mr Kilonzo’s docket. The anti-graft chief has been caught in an ugly war of words with Mr Orengo after he challenged the minister to fight the vice at his office.
Economic crimes
Mr Orengo hit back at the demonstrations against his ministry by the KACC boss and the Law Society of Kenya, telling the anti-graft chief to concentrate more on prosecuting cases on economic crimes instead of “making noise” about it and engaging in “public theatrics”.
Prof Lumumba, who took up the top job at Integrity House in July last year, is increasingly coming under pressure to quit tough talk and act to tackle the malaise through which Kenya has lost billions of shillings.
Early this year, he said he was investigating four Cabinet ministers and 45 senior government officials over corruption.
“We are investigating very senior public officials whose names we can’t disclose at this stage, but in the fullness of time we will,” Prof Lumumba said.
“We are investigating not less than four Cabinet ministers and no less than 45 senior heads of parastatals.”
On Sunday, the KACC boss sought to explain why high-level heads are yet to roll even though he made promises.
“The fight against corruption is multi-pronged. It involves prevention, education and investigation. We discharge that mandate in accordance with the law,” he said.
He argued that talking tough was part of the KACC mandate through which they educate the public to stand firm against corrupt forces.
Defending his record, he said that 36 cases would be taken to court this week while dozens of others had been prosecuted.
Prof Lumumba was particularly keen to point out that the commission had no powers to prosecute.
“We investigate, but we don’t prosecute. Prosecutions were mounted by the AG until the recent appointment of DPP.”
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