The war against corruption is which Kenyan Investigative agencies led by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission seem to be so determined to win despite the various challenges they have faced in the recent past.
The EACC has lately been under intense pressure to make good it’s threats and bring corruption suspects to book. Now with a new boss in the name of Twalib Mbarak, it seems like the commission is out to rectify the wrongs if it’s latest statement is anything to go by.
The anti-graft agency has traced Sh21.57 billion stolen since 2013 and knows where it is.
The EACC says in its latest report that it intends to recover a total of Sh29.58 billion stolen since 2013.
Among the state agencies targeted in the recovery of looted funds are the IEBC, NHIF, KRA, the Ministry of Interior and the Treasury. Others are the National Police Service, counties and the Ministry of Land.
“There was abuse of office and procurement irregularities in the purchase of Electronic Voter Identification Devices (EVID) at Sh1.3 billion by the IEBC where the former chief executive officer, deputy chief executive and other officials were charged in court,” according to the report.
The investigations start at the time President Uhuru Kenyatta ascended to power in 2013. Despite success in health and infrastructure, among others, large scale corruption has been an anchor holding back Uhuru’s development ship.
The agency said Sh7.214 billion, Sh3.860 billion, Sh3.614 billion, Sh4.913 billion and Sh1.916 billion were stolen each year respectively.
The EACC report of activities and financial statements for the financial year 2017/18 shows the amount is higher since the anti-graft agency is still investigating 1,510 cases. This will lead to more prosecutions and recovery of the stolen funds.