Transparency International questions Ruto’s commitment in fighting corruption
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Transparency International questions Ruto's commitment in fighting corruption after the withdrawal of case of powerful individuals, mainly, allies of the President
Transparency International questions Ruto’s commitment in fighting corruption after the withdrawal of case of powerful individuals, mainly, allies of the President
Tuesday, January 31, saw the release of a Corruption Perception Index Report from Transparency International (TI) Kenya, which criticized President William Ruto’s choice of people with open cases for high government positions.
TI questioned the Kenya Kwanza government’s dedication to fighting corruption after a number of corruption charges involving prominent people, mainly the President’s allies, were dropped.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) reportedly withdrew charges totaling Ksh15 billion, according to the authority.
“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.
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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 weaponization and politicization 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.
According to the report, Kenya’s score was lower than the global average of 43 but was equal to the Sub-Saharan average of 32.
In East Africa, Burundi scored 17 out of 19 points, Tanzania scored 38 out of 39, Uganda scored 26 out of 27 points, and Rwanda scored 51 out of 53 points, topping the region.
African nations that outperformed the norm included Seychelles (70 points), Botswana (60 points), and Cabo Verde (60 points).
Transparency International compared CPI 2021 and found that Kenya only improved by two points, from 30 to 32.
Kenya experienced a change of five scores between 2018 (27 points) and 2022, according to the 5-year trend analysis (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.
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