Zambian MPs Visit Kenya to Benchmark on Fighting Corruption

A delegation of Zambian Members of Parliament is in Kenya to benchmark on how to fight corruption.

The Committee on Privileges, Absences and Support Services visited the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) offices in Nairobi on Monday and is set to 'borrow a leaf' from the anti-graft body on how to tackle corruption.

EACC confirmed the arrival of the delegation and highlighted their primary mission in Kenya.

"EACC hosts a delegation from the Parliament of Zambia from the Privileges, Absences and Support Services Committee who are in Kenya for a Benchmarking Visit in collaboration with the National Assembly of Kenya, Powers and Privileges Committee.

[caption caption="Photo of EACC Commissioners and the delegation from Zambia"][/caption]

"This is a study tour by our colleagues from the Zambian National Assembly. We are sharing with them our experiences as a commission when it comes to corruption and promotion of ethics in our country," stated commissioner Mwaniki Gachoka.

The visit by the Zambian delegation is somewhat bizarre considering the high number of corruption cases that are yet to be resolved in Kenya.

Just last week, Senate's Justice and Legal Affairs Committee noted that the commission, led by its chairman Eliud Wabukhala, has increasingly lost relevance in the fight against graft

The leaders noted that the anti-graft body has over the years prosecuted the 'small fish' in any corruption scandal as opposed to dealing with anyone involved including senior government officials.

In their quarterly report dated July 1 to September 30, the EACC forwarded 52 cases to the Director of Public Prosecution’s office, with 42 of these being recommended for prosecution and seven files recommended for closure.

Additionally, of the 42 recommended for prosecution, 26 involved individuals, mostly traffic police officers accused of soliciting bribes of between Ksh100 and Ksh5,000 and more than ten of these involved cases of individuals accused of unethical conduct, which includes nepotism and payroll maladministration within county governments.

The Senate committee also noted that the agency seems unaware of the direction investigations of grand graft cases were taking even as the country is facing major corruption.

Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jr argued that there is no need for the EACC since many of its functions are being undertaken by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

[caption caption="The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) Chairperson Archbishop (Rtd) Eliud Wabukala"][/caption]

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