DPP Haji to prosecute four governors over corruption

Director of Public Prosecution Noordin Haji, (Courtesy)

By: Abdirahman Khalif

NAIROBI—Four governors and two officers from independent commissions may be arraigned in court next week over corruption-related charges.

EACC chairman Eliud Wabukala and CEO Halake Waqo yesterday told the Senate committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights that they had recommended three sitting governors and one who served between 2013 and 2017 to be charged with abuse of office, economic crimes, and diversion of public resources.

Mr Waqo said they have concluded investigations on two Principal Secretaries, two Members of Parliament and directors of parastatals and that their files have been forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

“These are not the petty corruption files but they are all serious files which have been investigated over the last one or two years. Some of them have been suspended because of court orders but they were lifted. In the days to come more files will be forwarded to DPP which also carry similar weight,” Waqo told the committee sitting at Parliament.

However, Waqo attributed the low conviction rate for cases to the inadequacies of the special anti-corruption magistrates to effectively and expeditiously deal with cases of corruption and economic crimes pending in courts.

EACC says the governor sanctioned the purchase of eight Ford vehicles for county executives without following procurement procedures. He is further accused of fuelling county cars in a petrol station that did not have a supply contract with the county.

Dr Wabukala said the new-found synergy between EACC, office of the DPP and the Judiciary would help in prosecution of the high-profile cases.

“We are now working seamlessly with the office of the DPP and the Judiciary. We ask the cooperation of Parliament and other Kenyans to help us deal with corruption cases,” said the retired prelate.