NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 29 – Four cabinet ministers and about 45 senior heads of parastatals are being investigated by the Kenya Anti Corruption Commission (KACC) over allegations of graft, Director Patrick Lumumba said on Friday.
Dr Lumumba said that his Commission was closing in on the personalities who had been implicated in various corruption schemes including the misappropriation of funds meant for the resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons.
And although he declined to reveal details of the suspected persons, Dr Lumumba added that those found culpable would be held to account for their misdeeds.
"We are investigating very senior public officials whose names we can\’t disclose at this stage, but in the fullness of time we will. Investigations are not a hundred metres sprint, we do our best, do it well and refuse to be cornered by giving timelines," Dr Lumumba said.
"The IDPs scandal is one of the cases we are looking into."
He also expressed faith in the country\’s judicial system saying he believed it would adequately prosecute those found guilty. He added that he was confident that once his commission concluded its investigations and handed over the recommendations to the Attorney General, the suspects would be arraigned in court.
"I have no doubt in my mind that everybody who is enjoined in the Constitution to behave will behave in accordance with the Constitution. I also hope that this time round that we will investigate effectively, the courts will act effectively and justice will be served effectively," he said.
Dr Lumumba further reiterated his past remarks saying the KACC had re-opened investigations into the Anglo-leasing and Goldenberg scandals.
"But remember that there are individuals who have already been charged in the Anglo Leasing case and remember also that there are Permanent Secretaries who are already charged in the Goldenberg case. We think we are on the right track," he said.
The move comes barely two days after Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetangula and his Permanent Secretary Thuita Mwangi were forced to quit their offices following a probe in Parliament by the Department Committee on Defence and Foreign Relations into the procurement and sale of Kenyan embassies in Japan, Nigeria, Belgium and Pakistan.
KACC has also sought assistance from the United States, Swiss authorities and the UK\’s Serious Fraud Office, for the repatriation of billions of shillings stashed abroad.
"We have written to foreign embassies and missions for the purpose of mutual legal assistance which is recognized under the United Nations Convention as well as the African Convention," explained the KACC Director.
He further asked Kenyans to remain watchful over the kind of people they chose as leaders.
"With the 47 counties that have been created by our new Constitution, I hope and pray that the governors, who will be elected in 2012, will not have as the first item on the shopping list, the governors\’ mansion," he said.
The KACC has in the meantime seized six containers at the Mombasa port on allegations of evading tax.
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