Tiiga Waana
Elder Lister
EACC goes for high-profile asset recovery as quicker way to punish corrupt individuals
In the last five years, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has seized over Ksh25 billion in assets and averted the loss of Ksh30.4 billion worth of others
nation.africa
I am acutely aware that there are many here who believe that there is nothing positive or worthy applauding in Kenya’s fight against corruption.
However, the latest exploits of the EACC’s Assets Recovery Scheme gives us a reason to smile and be hopeful as it is surely a step in the right direction.
As of today they have recovered over 25 Billion Kenya Shillings which had been stolen from Kenya Government by corrupt individuals.
The way they have been able to pursue Following Assets as well as Tracking and Tracing Assets is commendable by all measures.
Even as we speak, they have managed to seek and get from the Courts various Interim Reliefs to aid in tracing and recovering even more stolen assets including those of Governor Obado.
These Interim Reliefs includes Bank freezing orders, Disclosure Orders and Search Orders.
The elephant in the room however remains why EACC, which is using civil procedures, has been more effective and successful than the Criminal Courts with all their might and fire power.
Is it that our Criminal Prosecutors are inept and bungling or is it that Judges are corrupt and easily compromised?
Or is it that Kenyan laws touching on corruption are easy to circumvent?
There is another crucial ingredient missing in Kenya’s efforts at tracing and recovering stolen assets. Most known successful tracing and recovery are accomplished because of the speed that is employed in the exercise.
If there is too much delay as often happens in Kenya, corrupt Folks are able to sell assets and engage in money laundering and such other tricks and that way defeat the process.
Delay also gives corrupt individuals time to dissipate the said assets and as such lend the process null and void or something akin to a fool’s errand.
