Kenyas fight against corruption gets major boost after Theresa May visit

Kenya’s fierce war on corruption has received a major boost after Britain signed a key agreement to repatriate all proceeds of crime stashed away in all its jurisdictions.

President Kenyatta and the visiting British PM Theresa May witnessed the signing of an agreement at State House Nairobi on Thursday.

“There is no turning back in Kenya on this agenda. Fighting corruption is an important aspect for my legacy besides the Big 4 agenda,” President Kenyatta said after holding bilateral talks.

The deal involves a framework for the return of assets from corruption and proceeds of crime hidden in off-shore accounts by corrupt individuals.

Britain becomes the third international partner- after Switzerland and New Jersey- to support Kenya’s war on graft.

President Kenyatta said corruption must be made painful and less rewarding to deter people from engaging in the vice.

On her part, Prime Minister May said that besides repatriation of the proceeds of corruption, her government will support efforts to prosecute and conclude all major corruption cases in the country.

“We welcome your commitment and drive to fight corruption. We stand with you. Whatever is held in the UK will be returned to build Kenya,” said the Premier.

President Kenyatta and the Prime Minister May also witnessed the signing of a second agreement on the renewal of security pact between the two countries.

The agreement will enable Kenya to receive critical support for  border control  and aviation security through training programmes and equipment for border, airline and immigration staff.

Other areas of co-operation under the agreement include countering violent extremism, terrorism and trans-national crime through sharing of information and profiling of major masterminds and beneficiaries of these crimes.

On Kenya’s desire to secure a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council, the British PM said her country will work with Kenya to ensure it achieves its intended goal .

The PM assured Kenya of continued access of the UK’s markets through the current duty free arrangement in the even after Brexit (exit of Britain from the European Union) on 29 March 2019.

She said talks between Kenya and the UK  are underway  to come up with a new framework of trade.

On regional security and peace, the British Prime Minister lauded Kenya’s efforts  to stabilise Somalia and the signing of  a peace deal in South Sudan under AMISOM and IGAD respectively.

Prime Minister May said that through security cooperation between the two countries Britain has managed to put behind bars terrorists and child traffickers adding that Britain will soon announce a new aid package in support of AMISOM forces in Somalia.