This archive report was first published on 24 July 2019.
Kenya's fight against corruption has been gaining momentum, with several high-profile arrests in recent months. Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua is now calling for the speedy conclusion of graft cases, including those involving the Kimwarer and Arror dams scandals.
Speaking at a press briefing at his Mavoko office, Dr Mutua urged the Chief Justice to set up a system where corruption cases are speeded up and concluded within three months from the date of taking plea.
"In the same way election petitions are heard continuously and within a set period, so should corruption cases. That way, the accused are afforded justice and the people of Kenya also receive justice," Dr Mutua said on Tuesday.
He added that the Judiciary should deploy enough officers dedicated only to the trial of corruption cases, and that judicial officers gazetted to hear corruption cases should be freed from the normal work to concentrate and hear the matters speedily.
Dr Mutua also vowed to push for the empowerment of the Judiciary, so that the war on corruption runs smoothly at all levels.
"Kenya is a country of great people and amazing resources. However, we linger as a poor and third world nation that borrows heavily due to inefficiencies and the devil of greed called corruption," Dr Mutua said.
