EACC submits 404 files to Tobiko for prosecution

Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission Chairman Philip Kinisu appears before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs at Swahili Beach Resort in Ukunda, Kwale county, on May 20, 2016. He has said that more people will be recruited to aid in the war against graft. PHOTO | WACHIRA MWANGI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • He revealed that his agency has held a discussion with Chief Justice Willy Mutunga on the need to expedite the functioning of 13 news courts under the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Division.
  • Mr Kinisu took a swipe at Kenyans saying they expect a lot from the agency yet they are the ones perpetuating the vice.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has submitted 404 files to the director of public prosecutions for assessment, among them a report on graft while procuring ballot papers by the electoral commission.

However, the chairman, Philip Kinisu, said the determination of other 375 cases before anti-corruption courts is pending.

“Some of these cases emanate from the list which President Uhuru Kenyatta had tabled in the Parliament in March this year,” Mr Kinisu said in an exclusive interview with Nation.

He revealed that among the prominent case under investigation is the "Chicken Gate" scandal against officials at the defunct Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC), Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec) and the National Youth Service (NYS).

“Those cases are being tracked individually…I will not say much about the ongoing investigations but information will be made available at the right time,” he added.

He further revealed that his agency has held a discussion with Chief Justice Willy Mutunga on the need to expedite the functioning of 13 news courts under the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Division.

“Dialogue is ongoing to make the economic cases prosecuted effectively and efficiently. The Judiciary has allocated 13 new magistrates to handle those cases and the CJ has assured us courts will be established very soon,” he added.

He defended EACC's performance which has been described by a section of Kenyans as performing below average due to seemingly slow prosecution of high profile corruption cases.

Mr Kinisu urged Kenyans not to expect instant results from his “new” agency saying the fight against graft is complex in nature and time consuming.

“Much as their frustration is justifiable. The fight against corruption is complex. It takes time for investigations to be completed. I think it is fair we give the initiative time," he said, observing that more than 30 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is being misdirected through corrupt transactions.

He added that more people will be recruited and deployed in the right manner, properly supervised and supported by both the public in providing information and by leadership.

“This fiscal year, we are hoping to recruit 150 extra staff, we have funding for that. Going into next year, conversation is underway to dramatically increase by an additional 500 others depending with availability of resources.”