Kenya on its death bed due to corruption – DPP Haji

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji says the country is economically on its death bed due to runaway corruption.

Haji on Tuesday bemoaned the wanton looting of public funds saying the situation is so dire that it can neither be described as corruption nor theft.

“It’s not about real money any more; its about everything going and Kenya being on its death bed, if this is not curbed. This is beyond theft or corruption.

“It is Kenyans stealing from their own coffers; stealing from oneself. As Kenyans we probably need to come up with a terminology which  will capture that this is  beyond theft and corruption,” said the DPP.

He was speaking during a luncheon with the Press Club organised by the Kenya Editor’s Guild in association with Transparency International.

Haji pointed out that from April 2018 to January this year the country may have lost Ksh.16.8 billion — this not including the Ksh.21 billion Kimwarer and Arror dams scandal, which is currently under investigation.

The DPP, however, maintained that his office is doing all it can to rid the country of corruption, adding that no one found culpable will be spared in the graft purge.

“But let me make it clear… No one is immune from these efforts to rid Kenya of corruption – be you in a position of power or a member of my own staff. If there is sufficient evidence then we will prosecute you,” said Haji.

He highlighted that there are challenges in the ongoing war against corruption key among them politicization.

“I cannot say that this fight against corruption has been without challenge, those who have benefited from this plundering for years wish nothing more than for us to fail in this pursuit,” DPP.

“The problem is they politicize issues then it becomes very murky that even when you want to institute investigations you are labelled to be on one side or the other.”