This archive report was first published on 11 December 2019.
Published on December 11, 2019, the fight against corruption in Kenya's public service has seen a surge in high-profile arrests, but the war will fail unless big fish are convicted and their ill-gotten gains are seized.
Corruption in the public sector is not only a moral issue but also a matter of economic justice. The Auditor-General's reports have detailed the wanton looting of public funds, but the culprits continue to go scot-free.
However, the tide is turning. The National Assembly has adopted the Public Accounts Committee's report, which recommends that accounting officers with audit queries be barred from holding public office. This is a welcome measure to restore sanity in the management of public funds.
While the Directorate of Criminal Investigation and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission have upped their game, they alone cannot slay the rapacious monster of corruption. It is encouraging to see more high-profile suspects being hauled to court to answer charges, but the graft war will fail unless some big fish are convicted and the proceeds of their economic crimes are impounded.
