This archive report was first published on 25 July 2019.
On July 25, 2019, the war on corruption in Kenya kicked off with a delicate balancing act, as the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) targeted high-profile officials suspected of corruption.
According to sources, the arrest plan was crafted into two phases to avoid political complications, particularly the risk of tribal sentiments being triggered by the arrests.
Intelligence reports had warned that some leaders might exploit the situation by branding the war on corruption as tribal, which could have far-reaching consequences.
President Uhuru Kenyatta instructed the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji to allow those arrested an option of immediate bond, to avoid such a scenario.
Rotich and PS Thugge were granted a sh15 million bail or an option of depositing sh50 million bond.
Unlike before, where Uhuru instructed for the arrests not to be made on Fridays to avoid suspects being forced to stay in police cells over the weekend, the current plan aims to balance the arrests with the political landscape.
Phase two of the arrests will target Devolution CS Eugene Wamalwa (Luhya), Water CS Simon Chelugui (Kalenjin), and Agriculture CS Mwangi Kiunjuri (Kikuyu).
