20 in race for Ringera job

The chief justice of a European country is among candidates eyeing the post of Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission director, the Saturday Nation has learnt.

A source familiar with the recruitment on Friday said the number of applicants for the three positions had been narrowed from 197 to 20. The seat fell vacant after Mr Justice Aaron Ringera and his two deputies —Ms Fatuma Sichale and Dr Smokin Wanjala — resigned.

Ms Sichale was in charge of legal services while Dr Wanjala was the head of research, education, policy and preventive services. Also on the shortlist is a retired and two current permanent secretaries as well as a former lady commissioner with the Yash Pal Ghai-led Constitution of Kenya Review Commission.

Others include a commissioner with the Interim Independent Electoral Commission and another from the disbanded Samuel Kivuitu-led Electoral Commission of Kenya. High ranking officials at the World Bank’s lending arm, the IMF have also expressed interest as well as a prominent administrator with a UN agency.

Criminal lawyers, others working with UN institutions, have also staked claim to the job, a lucrative five-year contract at Integrity Centre. The in-coming director’s retirement package includes provision of security and transport for 10 years by the commission.

Perhaps, this explains the chief justice’s willingness to opt out of his £150,000 (nearly Sh2 million) salary. The next KACC director is expected to earn about Sh1.6 million each month down from Sh2.5 million which Mr Ringera was taking home as his monthly income.

The salaries of the deputy directors were reduced from nearly Sh1.7 million to nearly Sh1.1 million a month. The KACC advisory board cut the salaries by 35 per cent, following claims that the anti-graft busters had little to justify the high pay. Besides, the board said there was need for the pay to reflect economic realities.

The Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, 2003, which establishes the commission is not categorical on whether or not a foreigner can be appointed to lead the fight against graft. The law only sets out qualifications of candidates for the job.

Section 1 of the First Schedule of the Act under the provisions relating to the staff of the commission states: “To be appointed as the director or as an assistant director, a person must be knowledgeable about or experienced in law, public administration, accounting and financial matters.”

It continues: “One must also be familiar with fraud investigation besides being a person of outstanding honesty and integrity.” The board is expected to complete the interviews and present the nominees to the Justice Minister by November 19. The minister will then present the names to Parliament for debate and approval.