Lack of accountability for graft a major problem for Kenya: US official

What you need to know:

  • Baktash and Ibrahim Akasha, the confessed heads of a Kenya-based drug empire, are scheduled to be sentenced on February 1 by a US federal judge in New York.
  • The brothers admitted, as part of their plea deal, that they obstructed justice by paying bribes to Kenyan police officers, judges and at least one prosecutor.
  • Kirsten Madison, assistant secretary of State for international narcotics and law enforcement affairs, told reporters that she could not comment on a trial that is still underway.

NEW YORK,

The US State Department official focused on drug crimes has decried lack of accountability for corrupt activities within Kenya's criminal justice system.

"This has been a problem," said Kirsten Madison, the Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.

ESSENTIAL PIECE

Ms Madison said this in an address to reporters on Tuesday, when she refused to discuss the Akasha brothers' admission that they bribed Kenyan officials in an effort to avoid facing narcotics-trafficking charges in a US court.

She spoke in general terms regarding US efforts to help fight corruption in Kenya, which, she said, greatly impedes the fight against drug trafficking.

Corruption is "an essential piece of the business model for criminal organisations," she observed.

"They must have corruption to facilitate their activities."

DRUG OVERDOSES

While the US provides resources to help root out graft, Kenyan government officials "have to take on responsibility for fighting corruption," Ms Madison added.

The assistant secretary briefed reporters on an international drug treatment and prevention conference scheduled to begin in Nairobi on December 10.

Some 2500 specialists and researchers are expected to take part in the International Society of Substance Use Professionals global workshop sponsored by the African Union and the Kenyan and US governments.

Close to half a million deaths around the world were attributed to drug overdoses last year, Ms Madison noted.

BRIEFED REPORTERS

Baktash and Ibrahim Akasha, the confessed heads of a Kenya-based drug empire, are scheduled for sentencing on February 1 by a US federal judge in New York.

They could be given life-imprisonment terms.

Under a plea agreement they reached in October with US prosecutors, the Akashas are unlikely to be sentenced to less than 10 years in prison.

OBSTRUCTED JUSTICE

The brothers admitted, as part of their plea deal, that they obstructed justice by paying bribes to Kenyan police officers, judges and at least one prosecutor.

None of those Kenyan bribe-takers have so far been identified in court proceedings, and attorneys on both sides have also refused in interviews to discuss the bribery aspect of the case.

Assistant Secretary Madison also kept mum on that topic on Tuesday, telling reporters that she could not comment on a trial that is still underway.

RIFT VALLEY MPs

Ten prominent Kenyans being investigated by the US Department of Justice over allegations of taking bribes from the notorious Akasha brothers could be slapped with sanctions should they be indicted of the crimes.
“It’s a careful process. But I can assure you that we use the sanction tool whether they are financial or visa. It’s an important tool and way to have an impact on those who engage in corrupt and criminal activities. But I cannot speculate whether there will be any specific announcement,” said Ms Madison in a telephone conference Tuesday.
A Cabinet secretary, a controversial governor, an outspoken Rift Valley MP, a prosecutor, two High Court judges, two magistrates and a senior criminal investigations officer are on the US wanted list and are at risk of indictment and prosecution on American soil.

LIFE SENTENCE
Ms Madison declined to discuss the Akasha brothers' admission that they had bribed Kenyan officials in an effort to avoid facing narcotics-trafficking charges in a US court.
Baktash and Ibrahim Akasha, the confessed heads of a Kenya-based drug empire, are scheduled to be sentenced on February 1 by a US federal judge in New York. They could also be given 20-year sentences in a US prison for obstructing justice by paying bribes to Kenyan officials in an attempt to avoid extradition to America.
The brothers could be sentenced to life in prison. Under a plea agreement they reached in October with US prosecutors, the Akashas are unlikely to be sentenced to less than 10 years in jail.
As part of their plea deal, the brothers admitted that they obstructed justice by paying bribes to Kenyan police officers, judges and at least one prosecutor.