Graft trials to go on day and night

Corruption cases will now be heard daily — including night — until a verdict is reached, the government has said. Government spokesman Alfred Mutua said on Thursday that the government was working on the modalities to speed up corruption trials and appeals.

Law Society of Kenya chairman Okong’o O’Mogeni welcomed the move saying it was long overdue. “The directive by the government is in accordance with the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act,” he said.

This, he said, would send a strong message to the corrupt as they would be charged and convicted within a short time while the innocent are set free in good time. “Once a corruption case starts, it will end when a verdict is made even if it means the judges working at night,” said Dr Mutua.

The hearing of a corruption case or appeal, he added, would not take more than three months. The procedures, will be brought out early next week.

And, LSK chairman noted that fast-tracking corruption cases would not slow down the courts as separate courts had been set up to deal with graft.

The government directive comes days after President Kibaki suspended senior officials from the Local Government and Finance ministries over corruption allegations. Those interdicted include Local Government permanent secretary Sammy Kirui.

Fraudulent

Mr Paul Ngugi, director of budget in the Ministry of Finance, Nairobi River Project coordinator and former Nairobi Town Clerk John Gakuo were also suspended, among others.

The officials were interdicted in connection with the fraudulent purchase of a 120-acre plot in Mavoko at a cost of Sh283 million yet its true value was Sh24 million.

Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi has also been quizzed by the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission over the sale of the cemetery plot.