Expert comment: So far so good in graft war but let's see convictions

Director of Public Prosecution Noordin Haji during his appearance before the Senate Justice and Legal Affairs Committee regarding rampant corruption in the country, June 13, 2018. /JACK OWUOR
Director of Public Prosecution Noordin Haji during his appearance before the Senate Justice and Legal Affairs Committee regarding rampant corruption in the country, June 13, 2018. /JACK OWUOR

It's good that we are talking openly about corruption and we appear to be taking some action.

That includes the agreement between Kenya and Switzerland in which the Swiss promised to return assets and wealth taken out of this country.

It's also positive that public servants have been arraigned, including those linked to missing NYS funds. There are also court cases against Kenya Power officials. This should be encouraged.

But as we fight against corruption, it is important that the rule of law is respected. Taking people to court is part of ensuring due process.

If the process is arbitrary, we will be opening a Pandora's Box in which the accused might find legal ways of stopping this process.

Generally, the fight against corruption is positive and bears fruits to the extent that these actions are being taken. We hope there is sufficient and airtight evidence to convict them.

In the past, people have been taken to court but the state hasn't adduced sufficient evidence to convict them. We want to see convictions before we can definitively say yes we are truly fighting corruption.

Political goodwill is the extent to which the leadership is committed to implementing what it says it wants to implement. This includes giving authorities the freedom to act in line with their mandate without interference.

Political will does not stop at the President but is required of the Deputy President and other politicians and non-politicians who wield power and influence.

When somebody is corrupt it doesn’t matter where he or she comes from. Corruption eats into the fabric of society and our attempts to develop economically.

We need to develop a culture in which people in top positions step aside when they are adversely mentioned

The appointing authority, in this case the President, should not transfer people suspected to either abet or protect suspected corrupt persons.

When people are transferred, explanations should be availed because good governance requires that the public gets information about decision making.

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