Transparency International Kenya (TI Kenya) has raised concerns about how President Ruto’s administration is braced to fight corruption after the global report indicated that Kenya had recorded slight progress in eliminating the vice.
TI Kenya criticized the appointment of individuals facing criminal cases to senior government positions.
The anti-corruption watchdog also raised concerns over the withdrawal of numerous corruption cases touching on allies of President Ruto.
“The Kenya Kwanza Coalition in its manifesto promised to end the weaponization and politicization of anti-corruption efforts by allowing the relevant institutions to freely exercise the independence given to them by the constitution … However, the government has not yet lived up to its billing in the fight against corruption,” TI Kenya said.
Kenya recorded scant progress of 32 out of 100 from 30 points in 2021 in the Corruption Perceptions Index 2022 report.
TI Kenya said the actions disregard the leadership and integrity standards in Chapter Six of the Constitution and undermine public confidence in the justice system.
“The withdrawal of corruption and other cases has caused a precipitous fall of public confidence in the justice system in the country and anti-corruption efforts. Dropping of corruption cases casts doubt on the ODPP’s independence, transparency, fairness, competence, professionalism and its mandate in the justice system in Kenya,” said TI Kenya’s executive director Sheila Masinde.
To establish a culture of integrity, support anti-corruption institutions, empower citizens, and hold corrupt individuals accountable, the anti-corruption watchdog asked the Kenya Kwanza administration to promote ethical values, strengthen political commitment, encourage civic involvement, and support media reporting.
