A lobby group has sounded alarm over Kenya’s economic stability, warning that the country is on the verge of collapse due to entrenched corruption, weak governance, and disregard for the rule of law.
The Justice and Equity Council (UK chapter), through its chairman Sebastian Onyango, criticised the government’s decision to form a new multi-agency team to fight graft, terming it an unnecessary duplication of roles.
Instead, the group urged the state to strengthen existing institutions such as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
In a strongly worded statement, the council accused DPP Renson Igonga of betraying public trust by shielding influential individuals implicated in corruption scandals. It cited plea-bargain deals that reduced penalties in high-profile cases, including the Sh1.9 billion Migori graft scandal involving former Governor Okoth Obado.
“The Office of the DPP has become a shield for looters of public funds,” the council said, alleging that Igonga colluded with governors and politicians through fraudulent bargains and selective withdrawals of cases.
The group further claimed that former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya and ex-Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala had benefited from political protection in graft cases. It warned that unless the DPP changes course, it would mobilise Kenyans to petition for his removal and prosecution over abuse of office.
“Enough is enough. The era of impunity is over,” the statement read.
The lobby also called on President William Ruto to drop the idea of creating parallel anti-graft agencies and instead empower existing watchdogs. It challenged Parliament to take corruption allegations seriously, even recommending impeachment proceedings against the President if claims of graft within the House were proven true.
Additionally, the council urged the DCI to investigate threats of election rigging, describing such utterances as criminal incitement that could endanger national peace.
The group appealed to citizens to remain vigilant and resist impunity. “Kenya belongs to its people, not to looters and their protectors. The time for decisive action is now,” it stated.
