Graft fighters go home as new law takes effect

The top leadership at the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (Kacc) have vacated office as a law setting up a new ethics body takes effect.

Kacc Advisory Board chairman Okong'o O'Mogeni told reporters on Monday that the top officials at the organisation had already vacated office.

Kacc director PLO Lumumba and his deputies left office as consultations begun in government to set up a panel to identify key officials of the newly created Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

The new body will oversee the fight against corruption and also execute Chapter Six of Kenya's new Constitution which establishes ethical standards for those seeking public office.

Parliament last week passed a new law restructuring Kacc in accordance with the Constitution. The Bill was assented to by President Kibaki on Sunday alongside other 14 laws set out in the Constitution.

Mr Lumumba's vacation of office comes only days after he sensationally accused Assistant Minister Cecily Mbarire and her husband Dennis Apaa of bribery attempts. Mr Apaa is the target of on-going investigations by Kacc.

The assistant minister rebutted that any monies they offered Mr Lumumba was in response to his request that they donate to his foundation, and has since sued the former Kacc chief for defamation.