Anti-graft strategy progressively delivering results
By Selina Chiteri
Why work so hard for something that will eventually be stolen? Why build for someone else to destroy? Corruption punctures the life of a society.
It stalls economies, deprives people of resources which consequently creates a dejected society, normalises its frequency and intensity whilst killing the dreams, hopes and aspirations of many.
The majority are left to scavenge for what is left by the never satisfied individuals who are now close to making a society out of their loot. Question is, can corruption in Kenya be brought to a halt?
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step and for us, it requires many single steps in the right direction. Fortunately, a series of deliberate steps have been taken to seal the loopholes, recover stolen assets and bring perpetrators to book.
Deliberate moves by the government have witnessed amendments done to what appeared to be impediments in the war on graft. The aspect of “Unity is Power” took centre stage after it was established that investigative agencies need to cooperate and collaborate in order to effectively carry out their functions.
Thus the multi-agency approach to fighting graft was established and saw investigative institutions join forces to allow better coordination of efforts and deter duplication of roles in reporting, gathering and sharing intelligence, cooperation in investigations among other functions.
This approach has been key in delivering results. Moreover, recovery of assets has also witnessed growth with greater collaboration among institutions.
Loopholes have been sealed enabling the country to coordinate recovery efforts even through foreign agencies. It is only through this approach that progress is being attained by the various agencies which has raised hope that all is not lost in saving our resources from the greedy.
For many, it came as a first and a surprise to witness a MP have his case investigated to conclusion. Sirisia MP John Waluke, alongside his co-accused Grace Wakhungu, were convicted and sentenced to 67 years in jail with fines almost inching to a billion.
They were found guilty in all counts leading to delivery of the judgement. Though, he is out on bail, having appealed, this is one of the cases that sent an indication it is not business as usual any more.
Last year, two of five accused in the Sh180 million Youth Enterprise Development Fund case were found guilty and given varying sentences. Furthermore, the courts ordered that the accused compensate the Fund the said amounts for the loss occasioned.
These cases are just among a series of cases that have not only been concluded but also whose stolen assets have been recovered.
The joint investigations has effectively served to fast track cases, deterring any obstacles in the court process either emanating from prosecution or investigating body whilst also bringing the Judiciary at par in hastening cases and delivering justice as deemed fit.
These two cases is only a speck of graft cases that have been concluded between 2018 and 2021 facilitated by the deliberate move to reorganise and ensure all institutions deliver on their functions effectively without obstructing each others’ roles.
The country is gradually navigating its way out of the “norm” on the way corruption cases have been run over the decades characterised by laxity from all quarters with many cases often not concluded and assets unrecovered.
It is a long winding road that will require a great resolve from not only leaders but also the citizens. We must remind ourselves that corruption has deeply cut-back on our progress as a country, and therefore we cannot relent so long as there are greedy vultures ready to pilfer what they have not worked for.
As sickening as it may sound for that Kenyan who takes the war on graft as a resounding gong, there is no relenting for the efforts undertaken are progressively delivering results even as more action is taken to ensure the country is not buried by greedy corrupt officials.
