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Anglo Leasing prosecutions drawing close – EACC

Matemu has told the parliamentary Justice and Legal Affairs committee that they have already forwarded the files to the Director of Public Prosecutions for action/FILE

Matemu has told the parliamentary Justice and Legal Affairs committee that they have already forwarded the files to the Director of Public Prosecutions for action/FILE

NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 10 – Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) Chairman Mumo Matemu says they have finalised investigations into the multi-billion shilling Anglo Leasing scandal, which will get into the prosecution stage in two weeks time.

While appearing before the parliamentary Justice and Legal Affairs committee to give a status update on all the cases the commission has been investigating, Matemu intimated that they had already forwarded the some of the files to the Director of Public Prosecutions for action.

“There are two files which have international components which need to be tied up, and thanks to mutual legal assistance, we are able to get in touch with other administrations where other transactions could have been made. We have given 30 days for a further report on those international components but for the ones which are being cleaned up, we expect that within 14 days from today to be able to prosecute and have people in court… within 14days we might have people in court,” said Matemu.

He also added that they had narrowed down the number of those involved in the multi-billion shillings scam to 15 while also stating that the number was bound to change as the case was constantly changing.

“We are aware that Anglo Leasing is one of the key parameters of which the commitment to the fight against corruption has been measured in this country. We would like to say the files have moved and we expect the Director of Public Prosecution to move soon,” Matemu added.

Accompanied by other EACC commissioners and officials including the CEO Halaqe Wako, Matemu lamented that although the commission was keen on eradicating corruption which is rife in the country, the anti-corruption watchdog was faced with financial challenges in executing their mandate.

A report presented to the committee showed that during the 2014/15 financial year, the commission received Sh1.8 billion against the Sh2.7 billion they had requested, and which they say would have greatly improved the delivery of service.

“Given the low funding, the commission has been forced to lower the number and scope of programmes and activities to be implemented so as to remain within the limited budgetary allocation, with an overall negative effect on national commitment and effort to fight corruption,” read part of the report.

They also complained that they were understaffed and could not employ new staff because of inadequate funding.

Members of the parliamentary committee including Bumula legislator Bonface Otsiula took the opportunity to ask the commission what it had done in some the case brought forward by constituents.

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Otsiula sought to find out what had been done in the Mumias Sugar Sh5 billion scam, which has seen sugarcane farmers go for months without pay.

The commission could not immediately issue a status of the case but promised to furnish the committee with an update next week.

The commission will appear again next week on Tuesday to issue reports on the IEBC ‘Chicken’ scandal, the Karen and Lang’ata land cases, the Kenya Pipeline case and most recently the alleged corruption in the Narok County Government among others.

Matemu noted that the corruption in County Governments was on the increase promising to get to the bottom of the matter.

Director of Public Prosecution, Keriako Tobiko, will also appear before the committee next Tuesday.

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