It's time to tell the Kenyan people the truth about the anglo-leasing corruption scandal

For the last three days, international and Kenyan media has carried shocking details of corruption in the government of Kenya. The allegations are serious and are made more so by the fact that the author of the claims is Mr. John Githongo, formerly the President’s chief advisor in the fight against corruption, presently in exile in the United Kingdom. Mr. Githongo has presented a catalogue of revelations about attempts to stifle investigations and cover-up the truth about the Anglo-Leasing corruption scandal and high level involvement in it.

We have said before that Anglo-Leasing is the albatross around the Kibaki government’s neck, and will unless satisfactorily resolved destroy any anti-corruption credentials he may possess. Anglo-Leasing is the surest evidence of diminished political will to deal with grand corruption and sleaze in high places.

Transparency International Kenya calls for those Ministers and other public servants who have been implicated by Mr. Githongo to stand aside to facilitate impartial and uncompromised investigations into his allegations. We call on the government to facilitate the taking of John Githongo’s evidence for the purposes of successfully prosecuting the culprits in the scandal and also those who betrayed the public trust by covering up the scandal and obstructing investigations.

We call on the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission to move with speed to complete investigations into this scandal and in particular to ensure that the tri-partite nexus between businessmen, politicians and civil servants is exposed, to prevent future scandals. It should invoke sections 55 and 57 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, which provide for the investigation of unexplained wealth. We fully expect that any such wealth will be confiscated and restitution made to our public Treasury. The Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission must not attempt to drag its feet on this matter or participate in any white-wash. The Kenyan public and civil society will watch its investigation closely.

Further, we call for the publication of wealth declaration forms by all public officials to ensure that they are accountable to the Kenyan people with regard to how they have acquired their wealth. Additionally we call for the strict enforcement of the Code of Conduct.

Finally, we call for a more transparent and accountable defence and security procurement process. The excuse of secrecy in the national security interest has been grossly abused to loot our public funds by issuing of promissory notes for no work done or goods delivered.

The government stands reminded that unless the truth about Anglo-Leasing is told, Kenyans will have no reason to doubt that the fight against corruption has been abandoned.

Mwalimu Mati
Executive Director. Transparency International Kenya