Do you believe the anti-graft agencies are being used to fight political wars? Well, a lot of speculations have come out from people allied to Deputy President William Ruto, who have accused the agencies of targeting him in the war against corruption. They have also argued that the ahencies are being used by key politicians to frustrate Ruto’s political ambitions. However, the multi-agency task force on corruption yesterday rejected claims it targets certain individuals or communities.
“We are apolitical. These claims [of bias and persecution] were introduced by politicians and others. We are blind like justice. We are driven by the evidence we have,” Attorney General Kihara Kariuki said.
The task force is comprised of Kihara, DCI boss George Kinoti, DPP Noordin Haji, EACC boss Twalib Mubarak and the KRA and the Asset Recovery Agency director Kimani Muthoni.
They appeared before the Senate’s Legal Affairs Committee chaired by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei.
“We don’t work in the interest of any politician, nor do we target any community. We have no preferred intention other than ensuring the rule of law is obeyed, ” Kihara said.
Haji also said they are not targeting any community but only work to safeguard the interest of the country.
Their comments follow intense attacks on the agencies and claims they are being used to fight political wars.
A section of Rift Valley politicians has claimed the DCI and DPP are being used to criminalise leaders from that region to frustrate Deputy President William Ruto’s 2022 presidential bid.
The team told the committee the war on graft is hampered by several court orders barring them from investigating corruption suspects and by lack of laws to compel suspects to step aside for investigations.
They said senior government officials facing graft cases in court have intimidated witnesses and destroyed evidence because there is no law to compel them to step aside.
They want the government officers with executive powers, who charged with a capital offence, corruption or economic crimes, to vacate office until their cases are concluded.
The task force recommended a raft of amendments to laws, allowing them to carry out their mandate.