Graft body vows to vet all aspirants

By Faith Ronoh

KENYA: The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) will vet all aspirants vying for elective posts in the March 4 General Election despite not being fully instituted.

Commission Vice-chairperson Irene Keino said they would present a report on all presidential candidates and their running mates to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) when the vetting is complete. Ms Keino said those who did not remit taxes, have criminal records among other integrity issues will not be cleared to vie.

“Time could be a challenge but if one does not pass the integrity test and we have credible evidence, we will bar them from vying and send them to court,” she said.

She said those found to have misused Constituency Development Fund kitty in their respective constituencies would also face the law. Keino, who was opening EACC’s regional office in Eldoret on Friday, said there is need to devolve government offices to the county level to minimise corruption cases.

Grabbed land

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The commission’s deputy CEO Operations, Mr Michael Mubea said they are investigating over 300 cases of land grabbing in the North Rift.

“We are asking anyone who has grabbed land to hand it back to the Government before it is too late,” Mubea said.

He added: “We are willing to forgive those who surrender grabbed land but the law will deal with those who fail to voluntarily return grabbed land.”

Keino urged Uasin Gishu County residents to make use of the EACC office by reporting cases of corruption.

She said eliminating corruption at county level would open up investment opportunities and generate income.

“We are becoming more vigilant at the grassroots level because development activities should be improved at the County level,” she said.

She warned politicians dishing out money to the public and those intending to engage in voter bribery during the campaign period that they will face the law.

Keino asked residents to maintain peace and avoid a repeat of post-election violence. The Eldoret office becomes one of the Commission’s five regional offices across the country.