Three nominated to chair Kenya graft body

The man or woman who will lead Kenya’s fight against corruption will be known soon after President Kibaki received the names of three nominees.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission selection panel forwarded the names of the current chairman of the anti-graft advisory board Okong’o Mogeni, Kenya Revenue Authority Commissioner Mumo Matemu and Economist Sarah Kilemi.

President Kibaki, in consultation with Prime Minister Raila Odinga, will choose one of the three to chair the EACC and forward the name to Parliament for approval.

Following the interviews, Mr Mogeni came top with a score 81.7 followed by Mr Matemu with 78.4 and Dr Kilemi with 78.1.

The panel chaired by Rose Mambo also forwarded the names of Prof Jane Onsongo, Polycarp Ochillo, Francis Shaw and Irene Keino in order of merit to be considered for the two positions of members.

The new Commission will take over from the defunct Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission which was wound up following the enactment of the EACC Act in line with the Constitution.

The EACC will be responsible for investigation of corruption in the country and will also clear persons seeking to occupy appointive and elective public offices.

Mrs Mambo said that they received 164 applications for the membership position and shortlisted 12 from which they have picked the four. Following re-advertisement of the chairperson’s position, she added, the panel received 79 applications and shortlisted nine including the three nominees.

KACC’s director Prof Patrick Lumumba’s tenure as anti corruption boss was cut short after just a year in office at a time when he claimed that an assistant minister had tried to bribe him.

Prof Lumumba and the other four commissioners at the anti-graft body were sent packing within a week after the bribery claims.