Kenya anti-graft czar Lumumba takes office
Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission director PLO Lumumba (right) gestures during a media briefing at Integrity Centre on July 26,2010. LIZ MUTHONI|NATION
New anti-corruption czar Patrick Lumumba formally took office at Integrity Centre on Monday with a promise to bring down graft to negligible levels.
The fight against corruption, he noted, would not be easy and sought support of politicians and courts, saying there would be no “sacred cows.”
“During our watch there will be no scared cows. Kenyans may doubt. I assure you if we’re given time we shall deliver,” said Prof Lumumba.
The fight, he noted, would pursue the “big fish” (senior officials) as well the junior ones.
“It’s our duty to ensure when the next review is conducted it may be said of Kenya that there is no corruption or has been reduced to negligible levels,” said Prof Lumumba.
Like his predecessor retired Judge Aaron Ringera, he hit at the courts, where many corruption cases have been dragging for years.
“The judiciary, there is no wisdom of having individuals who reap where they’ve not sown been taken through a judicial process that takes forever. We hope they (courts) are going to ensure when individuals are charged with offences related to corruption will be dealt with firmly, swiftly and in accordance with the law,” said Prof Lumumba.
He was speaking to journalists after a meeting with Kenya Anti.-Corruption Commission advisory board.
In regard to KACC lacking powers to prosecute, which Justice (rtd) Ringera consistently blamed for slow performance, his successor said there are other ways to curb graft, besides jailing offenders.
“Corruption is not just about sending people to jail. We must create an environment, which is hostile to individuals whose only claim to fame is that they reap where they have not sown. We must also educate people so that they can learn to hate corruption,” he said.
KACC board chairman Okong’o Omogeni challenged the directors to pursue all cases that had stalled.
“The court of appeal has unlocked all international aspects on investigations on Anglo Leasing scandal. We expect the new team to move to all parts of the world and ensure the investigations are completed and prosecutions can commence,” he said.
Prof Jane Onsongo and lawyer Pravin Bowry, who were newly appointed as assistant directors in charge of preventive and legal services respectively, also attended the meeting.
Mr Bowry said every Kenyan should realise that corruption must be wiped out.
