E. Africa nations step up fight against corruption

Anti-corruption agencies from across eastern Africa have expressed their commitment to intensify the fight against corruption in the region.

The agencies from Kenya, Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda underscored the need to deepen the fight to end corruption post the COVID-19 pandemic.

They are meeting in Kenya's capital Nairobi for the annual general meetings of the East African Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities and the Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network for Eastern Africa, which will conclude on Friday.

Kenya's Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission said the meetings are a testimony to Kenya's commitment as well as the resolve of other member states to fight and stop corruption in the region.

Martha Koome, Kenya's chief justice, urged the agencies to strengthen their institutional capacity to fight corruption. "Corruption and institutional weaknesses are linked together," she said.

Koome said Kenya's judiciary has pledged to do its utmost to combat corruption, noting that judicial corruption allows impunity to reign and undermines the rule of law.

"One of our key goals is to allow people to be actively involved in access to justice. Corruption is a major player in frustrating access to justice. It allows justice 'for a few at the expense of justice for all'. This, in my books, is untenable," she said.

Koome also said a truly accessible judiciary is one that deals with corruption effectively, a move she said not only meets the needs of the public, but also inspires confidence.

"The Judiciary will continue to work with all partners to identify, expose and stem out culprits and cartels, acknowledging the grave danger that we all face if this vice permeates and corrodes the justice system," she said.

Munira Bablo, acting general secretary of the East African Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities, said the establishment of the Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network for Eastern Africa has greatly supported the tracing and recovery of assets within and outside the region.

Transborder investigations

Twalib Mbarak, chief executive officer of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission in Kenya, said the interagency network has enabled the commission to access critical information from foreign jurisdictions during transborder investigations.

"There is a major case that a ruling came out two months ago, where the Kenyan court convicted and sentenced a suspect to serve 67 years in prison or pay a fine of $20 million in a matter whose investigation was facilitated through regional collaboration," Mbarak said.

"This is a good example of potential and future gains in asset recovery within the region."

In many parts of East Africa, bribery continues to impede access to basic services.