Transparency International (TI) Kenya on Tuesday, January 31, released a Corruption Perception Index Report that criticised the appointment of individuals with active cases to senior government positions by President William Ruto.
TI questioned the Kenya Kwanza government’s commitment to fighting graft after the withdrawal of numerous corruption cases touching on powerful individuals, mainly allies of of the President.
According to the body, the Office of Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) withdrew cases that totaled to Ksh15 Billion.
"Kenya continues to suffer from a high level of petty and grand corruption," Transparency International stated.
Among the high-profile cases that were dismissed include Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu, Aisha Jumwa, Businesswoman Mary Wambui and Former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko.
“The withdrawal of corruption and other cases has caused a precipitous fall of public confidence in the justice system in the country and anti-corruption efforts.
"Dropping of corruption cases casts doubt on the ODPP’s independence, transparency, fairness, competence, professionalism and its mandate in the justice system in Kenya,” noted TI Kenya’s executive director Sheila Masinde.
Transparency International noted that appointments of suspects significantly undermined Chapter Six of the Constitution and public confidence in the justice system.
“The Kenya Kwanza Coalition in its manifesto promised to end the weaponisation and politicisation of anti-corruption efforts by allowing the relevant institutions to freely exercise the independence given to them by the constitution.
"However, the government has not yet lived up to its billing in the fight against corruption,” TI Kenya explained in a statement.
The 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) revealed that Kenya made little progress in tackling corruption.
"Kenya obtained a score of 32 out of 100, a slight improvement from a score of 30 points in 2021, and is ranked position 123 out of the 180 countries and territories assessed," TI outlined.
The report asserted that Kenya’s score matched the Sub-Saharan average score of 32 but fell below the global average score of 43.
In East Africa, Rwanda topped the region with 51 points compared to 53 points in 2021, Tanzania scores 38 from 39, Uganda has 26 from 27 and Burundi has 17 from 19 points.
"Countries that scored above the global average from the African region included Seychelles (70 points), Botswana (60 points) Cabo Verde (60 points).
Transparency International made a comparison to CPI 2021, and Kenya had a change of two scores only from 30 to 32 points.
The 5-year trend analysis shows that Kenya had a change of five scores between 2018 (27 points) and 2022 (32 points).
"A similar change is seen on the 10-year trend analysis, where Kenya has had a change of five scores between 2012 (27 points) and 2022," TI explained.
