NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 6 – The Kenya Anti Corruption Commission has blamed the Judiciary and the office of the Attorney General for frustrating investigations into the infamous Anglo Leasing scam.
Director Aaron Ringera said on Friday that although KACC had incriminating evidence from local investigations, the AG refused to accept the files without completion of the international aspects of the cases.
Mr Ringera added that a High Court ruling last year complicated matters after it barred the commission from seeking legal assistance from foreign governments, on grounds that there were no legal guidelines for the mutual legal assistance.
“I warned publicly that the effect of those decisions was to cripple the investigations,” Justice Ringera said adding that already initial investigations had located stashed monies abroad, but the court ruling stalled further collaboration with foreign governments.
“It’s not a question of lack of will or enthusiasm on the side of KACC but our hands are tied by judicial decisions.”
The High Court ruling also concluded that KACC, being part of the executive, could not investigate the multi-billion shilling scandals since they were security contracts that had been approved by the Attorney General.
Britain’s Serious Fraud Office announced on Wednesday that it had closed investigations into the scam after failing to receive co-operation from the AG Amos Wako.
The Anglo Leasing saga involved contracts signed between the government and ghost foreign companies between 1997 and 2003.
KACC was created in 2004 to fight grand corruption in the country but has failed to gain the faith of many and after being at the helm for four years, Justice Ringera cannot hide his frustration.
“My heart is raging with fury and anger. I have never been involved in a job so frustrating than being the director of KACC, but I also know that nobody who will occupy the seat after me will have it any easier,” the former Judge revealed.
Mr Ringera said that the key to winning the war against grand graft was by Parliament enacting a law on mutual legal assistance, and the Anti-Money Laundering Bill.
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