Africa News
US rebukes Kenya for reappointing ineffectual anti-graft chief
Sep 3, 2009, 11:57 GMT
Nairobi - The United States on Thursday rebuked Kenya's president for reappointing the East African nation's anti-graft chief despite his poor record during his five years in office.
President Mwai Kibaki on Monday bypassed parliament and reappointed Justice Aaron Ringera as the Director of the Kenya Anti- Corruption Commission (KACC) for another five-year term.
The decision caused widespread public anger as Ringera has failed to bring anybody to book despite several high-level corruption scandals that cost Kenya billions of dollars.
'The reappointment, and the manner in which it was done, raises profoundly troubling questions, particularly given the poor record ... of the KACC over the past five years,' the US Embassy in Kenya said in a statement.
Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki came to power in 2002 on an anti- corruption platform, but scandals have continued to pile up with no charges filed.
Several ministers have been accused of involvement in scandals, ranging from shell companies being paid billions for services that were never rendered, to the resale of subsidized maize intended to feed people suffering from drought.
The United States said that while Kibaki was not required to consult with parliament and other actors, it would have been appropriate and 'a sign of good faith.'
'Lack of consultation and transparency call into serious question the government's commitment to end the culture of impunity through decisive steps to fight corruption and to implement key reforms,' the embassy said.
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