Why Kidero could be barred from Europe and US
State and public officers who have either been questioned or adversely mentioned over corruption risk being barred from travelling to Europe and America as western diplomats moved to raise pressure in the war against graft.
Eleven diplomats who held a meeting with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) on Thursday said they would impose travel restrictions on officials linked to corruption, saying graft was undermining the country’s future.
STOLEN ASSETS
“We are prepared to take further steps to support the Kenyan authorities including, when permitted by law, the return of stolen assets to the Kenyan people or to impose travel restriction on those responsible for graft,” the envoys said in a joint statement they issued after the meeting at Integrity Centre, Nairobi.
The joint statement was read to the press by the US Ambassador to Kenya, Mr Robert Godec, who led the team to the EACC offices.
Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero has been questioned by the anti-corruption commission over allegations of pocketing Sh650 million on behalf of Mumias Sugar Company, where he served as managing director.
Apart from the US, other countries represented in the meeting are the United Kingdom, Canada, Finland, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland.
FIGHT CORRUPTION
EACC Chief Executive Halakhe Waqo, who chaired Thursday’s talks with envoys, said the commission was making every effort to fight corruption and promised to engage the international partners.
“We shall be taking each complaints or issue raised and once we are ready we shall forward the case to other agencies for arrest and prosecution,” said Mr Waqo, flanked by his deputy, Mr Michael Mubea.
On Thursday, the envoys said the government should investigate all allegations of corruption and those found responsible should face court action.