Graft Suspects Lose Ksh25B Homes, High-End Cars

A suspect in handcuffs
An undated illustration of a suspect in handcuffs
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Corruption suspects lost assets worth Ksh 25.3 billion in the financial year ending June 2019, according to a report by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

The commission stated that the assets comprised of land, homes, high-end cars and office blocks which were recovered mostly from high-value fraud cases. 

The recovery by EACC was 5.6 times higher compared to the financial year ending June 2018 where the commission recovered assets worth Ksh 4.5 billion. 

It also surpassed the Ksh 22.3 billion recoveries made by the commission in the period between 2003 and December 2019. 

EACC CEO Twalib Mbarak after presenting a cheque to the Kenya Covid-19 Fund on April 28, 2020.
EACC CEO Twalib Mbarak after presenting a cheque to the Kenya Covid-19 Fund on April 28, 2020.
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EACC Kenya

EACC added that it averted a loss of Ksh 10 billion after changing tactics to target suspects involved in high valued graft cases. 

"There was a change of strategy where asset recovery mainly targeted illegally acquired public land," Mbarak stated. 

EACC's major setback was the procedure of assets recovery. The commission usually files cases in court seeking to seize assets. The timely sensitive cases are mostly delayed by these court hearings and appeals and filings made through other investigative agencies. 

On Friday, May 8, efforts were made to grant EACC more powers in the fight against corruption after the commission was given the authority to overstep the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) under Noordin Haji and the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI). 

A ruling by the Supreme Court on Friday, May 8, allowed EACC to go after any individuals whose assets are not proportional to their legitimate sources of income. 

"Unlike in criminal matters where various agencies are involved, forfeiture of unexplained assets are purely civil proceedings and EACC can move directly to court and prosecute the matters," the landmark ruling read. 

The DPP, Noordin Haji, has also been categorical on the war against corruption after being ordered by President Uhuru Kenyatta to nail high valued graft suspects

"We can look at a high profile case such as MP John Waluke who was facing a Ksh 297M case, we were able to finish that case within a record 1 year and 7 months. That speaks to the efficiency of the directorate, " he said on Tuesday, November 10.

DPP Noordin Haji (right) presents the 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 Performance Report to President Uhuru Kenyatta at State House on Monday, November 9, 2020.
DPP Noordin Haji (right) presents the 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 Performance Report to President Uhuru Kenyatta at State House on Monday, November 9, 2020.
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