Lumumba has barely been in office for a year/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 29 – The Director of the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission PLO Lumumba and his four deputy directors have been ordered to hand over office to principal administrators at the anti-graft agency within seven days.
The chairman of the KACC Advisory Board Okong’o Omogeni said the action was to allow a transition to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.
“On behalf of the Kenya Anti-Corruption Advisory Board and Kenya Anti Corruption Commission, we wish to assure the entire staff of the commission, our clients and all Kenyans that pursuant to the enactment of Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission, the commission (KACC) shall continue to exist to serve this country,” Mr Omogeni said.
The new commission, as stipulated in the new Constitution was created by the Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission Act that was signed into law by the President on Sunday.
The new law demands that the director and four assistant directors of the current anti graft body vacate office and a fresh recruitment for the top positions to be conducted.
Mr Omogeni said the board would manage the transition for the next 90 days, or until new directors are named.
“The advisory board shall oversee the operations of the commission for the next three months or until the new commissioners assume office. Necessary transition from the director and his assistant directors to appropriate managers be appointed by the advisory board within a week,” Mr Omogeni said.
The new body will have three commissioners and a secretary who will be in charge of the day to day running of the commission.
Prof Lumumba who was appointed in August last year has only served for a year. His fate at the commission appeared to have been sealed during debate on the Ethics and Anti Corruption Bill on Tuesday night.
During the debate, MPs were vocal against Prof Lumumba, accusing him of failing in his duties.
The anti graft czar has launched a number of probes on current members of Parliament.
Notably under investigation is Water Minister Charity Ngilu, suspended Industrialisation Minister Henry Kosgey, Education Minister Sam Ongeri and Runyenjes MP Cecily Mbarire among others.
KACC has also launched a probe into the management of the Constituency Development Funds where MPs act as patrons.
The advisory board has in the meantime recorded its concerns over the amendments and repealing of the Anti Corruption and Economic Crimes Act 2003 but assured the remaining staff that their jobs are secured.
“We assure all the remaining staff that the Advisory Board has confidence in their work and the nation expects them to continue with achieving their performance goals,” he assured.
“The director and his assistants will be given ample time to handover their responsibilities to those managers. The investigations, court cases and other activities of the Commission shall continue as usual,” he added.
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