Written by Were Kelly
A UK-based advocacy group has sounded the alarm over Kenya’s economic system, accusing the justice system of permitting corruption and the mismanagement of public finances.
In a statement released on Monday, the Justice and equity Council–united kingdom chapter stated Kenyans are enduring “extraordinary economic hardships” pushed by graft, weak accountability, and a blatant disregard for the rule of law.
The council criticized President William Ruto’s latest choice to form a multi-organization team to combat corruption, terming it a duplication of roles and a waste of sources.
As an alternative, the group advised the government to strengthen present constitutional bodies such as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption commission (EACC), the Directorate of criminal Investigations (DCI), and the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
“The President ought to stop creating needless organs and make sure current institutions function efficiently and independently,” stated council chair Sebastian Onyango.
Council secretary Janet Sutton echoed Onyango’s sentiments, calling for the suspension of senior government officials facing corruption charges.
They noted the reduction of a KES 1.9 billion graft case related to former Migori Governor Okoth Obado and his family to KES 235 million as an example of leniency.
Similar concessions, it alleged, were extended to former Kakamega Governor and cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya.
She also advised speakers of both houses of Parliament to invite the EACC to probe allegations of graft against MPs, warning that if such claims by the President prove false, impeachment proceedings against him ought to follow.
“The speakers of Parliament need to invite EACC to investigate corruption allegations. If those are false, Parliament ought to act against the President for spreading lies and despondency,” Sutton stated.
The council similarly warned the DCI against ignoring claims of deliberate election rigging, cautioning that such comments amount to incitement and could destabilize the country.
The declaration comes just weeks after President Ruto announced a joint parliamentary assembly at state house that legislators would face criminal court cases if found using Parliament for “political business.”
The lobby insisted that Kenyans can’t continue bearing the burden of corruption and called for pressing reforms to restore public self assurance in state institutions.
