This archive report was first published on 13 December 2019.
Kenya's war against corruption has taken a significant step forward with the Director of Public Prosecution, Noordin Haji, announcing plans to set up a special fund to collect billions of shillings recovered from corruption deals.
According to Haji, the fund will be established on Monday, December 16, 2019, and will be used to reclaim proceeds of graft and return them to society.
"On Monday, we will conclude setting up of Prosecution Fund that will collect all monies that have been recovered from corruption," Haji said during a press conference at Old Moses Camp at the base of Mt Kenya.
The DPP emphasized that the fund is crucial in ensuring that the proceeds of corruption are not lost but rather used to benefit the public.
"We have encountered a little problem with the National Treasury while setting up this fund. My argument has always been that we have been taking these monies to the Treasury but haven't been seeing where it has been going," Haji said.
He added that the monies recovered from corruption will be used to set up a wellness and training center for human rights defenders in Nairobi.
Kenya's heightened war against corruption has seen several high-profile arrests and prosecutions, including that of Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, who was charged with graft-related offences.
Human rights activists have also welcomed the move, with Amnesty International's Executive Director for Kenya, Houghton Irungu, saying, "We must put an end to corruption and impunity to ensure every Kenyan has a right to dignity and safety, regardless of where they come from."
