The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) was awarded the Malcolm Forbes Award 2021 for publishing the acclaimed report dubbed Pandora Papers.
ICIJ's report released in October 2021, lifted the lid on secret deals and hidden assets in offshore accounts in Panama and the British Virgin Islands.
The Washington Post, Miami Herald and nearly 150 media partners received the award that was sponsored by Forbes Magazine.
"Pandora Papers brought together journalists from dozens of news organizations to rummage through a treasure trove of more than 11 million leaked documents showing how money and power operate in the 21st century.
"Their work looked at how hundreds of government officials and wealthy individuals hid their assets in offshore havens from the British Virgin Islands to more surprisingly, places like South Dakota," the event organisers, the Overseas Press Club of America announced.
The judges were reported to have been impressed by the scope, depth and impact of the project, which toppled politicians and inspired legislation to crack down on money laundering.
“The ICIJ obtained a trove of 11.9 million confidential files and led a team of more than 600 journalists from 150 news outlets that spent two years sifting through them” Fergus Shiel, the Managing Editor at ICIJ stated while receiving the award.
Veteran Kenyan investigative journalist John-Allan Namu, through his organisation Africa Uncensored, led in unmasking the confidential information in the country.
Of interest to Kenyans, was President Uhuru’s family which was extensively mentioned in the report which alleged that it hid nearly Ksh3 billion in offshore accounts.
“Documents show that the expansion of the Kenyattas’ offshore holdings coincided with Uhuru Kenyatta’s political rise, with increasing the layers of secrecy to shield the family’s wealth from scrutiny even as Uhuru solidified his role as a man of the people” the report read in part.
The Pandora Papers report, however, did not show any evidence of corruption or state assets being stolen or hidden in tax havens by the President’s family.
It further acknowledged that is not illegal to own offshore accounts.
Allan Namu's attempt to reach out to the Kenyatta family for a rebuttal proved futile.
“We reached out to the Kenyattas for comment over their use of offshore entities. None of the family members mentioned in this report responded to our queries” the African Uncensored reported.
Uhuru, nonetheless, issued a response via a media briefing and promised to speak on the report in detail, at a later date.
"My attention has been drawn to comments surrounding the Pandora Papers. Let me say this; these reports will go a long way in enhancing the financial transparency and openness that we require in Kenya and around the globe. The movement of illicit funds, proceeds of crime and corruption thrive in an environment of secrecy and darkness.
"The Pandora Papers and subsequent follow-up audits will lift that veil of secrecy and darkness for those who can not explain their assets or wealth. Thank you.", his statement released by the State House read.
