By Maureen Murimi, Citizen Digital
Eleven Western nations want all allegations of corruption investigated and those found culpable punished regardless of their position in government.
U.S. Ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec said that his government will not issue visas to Kenyans linked to corruption.
The Ambassador was speaking after a Heads of Missions meeting with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) officials.
“We will make decisions on Visa consistent with our American Law,” said Godec. “We have a Presidential proclamation with regard to corruption. We do not issue visas to people involved with corruption and that’s the policy we follow.”
“The UK has a policy similar to that of the U.S,” said British Ambassador to Kenya Christian Turner. “Those people know who they are.”
Godec noted that the U.S. was deeply concerned about corruption and had made public statements.
“During President Obama’s visit, he and Kenyatta made commitments to address corruption, there are 40 commitments and we are in the process of implementing those things that we have been talking about,” stated Godec.
“We have been talking about corruption for a long time, corruption is undermining the future of Kenya.
EACC in its investigations.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) CEO Halakhe Waqo on his part maintained that the commission will not relent on the war against graft.
Waqo intimated that the EACC was looking at each corruption issue raised at the embattled Ministry of Devolution.
“We are not sleeping, we shall not spare any effort and will not be cowed by any intimidation,” said Waqo. “We will stand firm as members of the staff.”
Other envoys who accompanied Ambassador Godec are: United Kingdom High Commissioner Christian Turner, Canada Chargé d’affaires Jamie Christoff, Finland Ambassador Tarja Fernández, France Ambassador Remi Marechaux, Germany Ambassador Jutta Frasch, Japan Deputy Ambassador Mikio Mori, Netherlands Deputy Head of Mission Marielle Geraedts, Norway Ambassador Victor Rønneberg, Sweden Ambassador Johan Borgstam and Switzerland Ambassador Ralf Heckner.
The sentiments come at a time when Devolution Ministry Cabinet Secretary Ann Waiguru is set to appear before the EACC for grilling on the controversial document showing inflation of prices of basic items procured by her Ministry in the 2013 – 2014 Financial Year.
Waiguru, who has been accused of misappropriating funds or orchestrating the same, was questioned by the anti-graft body for the first time on Tuesday since reports of financial impropriety rocked her Ministry.
Her tribulations began mid this year when details emerged showing that Ksh 791 million had been lost through dubious deals and flawed procurements at the NYS.
She later confirmed the loss of the monies saying she had invited the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to probe the NYS accounts.
The DCI report revealed that at least Ksh 712 million was stolen from NYS by adding zeroes to transactions in the famous government IFMIS system.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has been under pressure to sack the CS or take political responsibility.
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