US condemns Ringera job move

The US has said it is deeply concerned about the reappointment of Justice Aaron Ringera as Director of the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission. 

"The reappointment, and the manner in which it was done, raise profoundly troubling questions, particularly given the poor record of performance of the KACC over the past five years," said the statement from its Nairobi Embassy on Thursday.

It said that the poor performance of the KACC has been consistently raised by civil society, stakeholders and MPs adding that the reappointment was "unilateral."

"The very negative public reaction to the reappointment shows how little confidence the Kenyan people have in the KACC."

"We are concerned that the reappointment was apparently made without proper consultation.  The KACC Advisory Board has the responsibility to make recommendations for candidates for Director and Assistant Directors to the Parliament, which vets and approves those candidates, and sends the names of approved candidates to the President for him to appoint," read the statement.

The US said the move undermined government’s efforts to fight corruption and end impunity and called for the process to be reviewed.

"Lack of consultation and transparency call into serious question the government’s commitment to end the culture of impunity through decisive steps to fight corruption and to implement key reforms."

"We urge that Justice Ringera’s reappointment be re-examined in accordance with appropriate procedures and through a process of broad consultation. The United States will continue to support the insistence of the Kenyan people that fundamental reforms be fully implemented, as agreed in the National Accord of 2008," said the statement.

Separately, the chairman of the KACC advisory board Mr Okongo O’mogeni raised fears on Thursday that if the controversy surrounding Justice Ringera’s re-appointment was not resolved, there was a possibility of someone rushing to court to declare KACC illegal.  

"The board is apprehensive that unless this matter is resolved, the war against corruption will suffer a big blow as the possibility of Kenyans raising objections in court of the composition and constitution of the commission without adherence to the law," he said.

"This may lead to it being declared illegal and thus incapable of discharging its duties and functions under the Anti Corruption and Economic Crimes Act of 2003."

He was speaking during a news conference convened to shed more light on their Wednesday’s meeting with Justice Ringera.

A number of the board members had been filmed by journalists with the embattled Justice Ringera, barely eight hours after their marathon meeting to discuss his re-appointment.

Mr O’mogeni clarified that their meeting was innocent and did not in any way discuss the controversy. 

"We want to make it very clear that it has always been the tradition of the board to have lunch together," Mr O’mogeni said.

He added: "The invitation for lunch was open and not secretive at all. It was in a public restaurant which is accessible. Other members who had pressing arrangements excused themselves."

The Name and Shame Corruption Network also questioned the performance of the anti graft watchdog.

"It is needless to re-evaluate and take stock of the five years that the Director and his deputies served in their various capacities," said Nascon coordinator Godfrey Birundu.

"Their presence and work has not been felt instead there are many cries from across the country on his inefficiency. Corruption in the country has indeed doubled."

Mr Birundu urged Parliament to move with speed to and bring a motion to revoke the appointments if the President fails to act.