The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has taken a firm stance against the President of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), Faith Odhiambo, following her contentious remarks regarding the commission’s actions.
The EACC swiftly responded to claims made by Faith Odhiambo, wherein she accused the anti-graft agency of consistently withdrawing court cases. These allegations were met with strong dismissal from the commission, which labeled them as both shocking and embarrassing, particularly coming from someone of Odhiambo’s stature.
Challenging the assertions made by the LSK president, the EACC called for evidence to support her claims, questioning whether the commission holds the authority to withdraw corruption cases of a criminal nature. Furthermore, the commission emphasized the importance of conducting thorough research before making such assertions, highlighting the necessity for familiarity with Kenya’s anti-corruption law enforcement processes.
Contrary to Odhiambo’s allegations, the EACC clarified its stance, stating that it opposes withdrawals of cases deemed detrimental to the public interest. This rebuttal aimed to dispel any misconceptions surrounding the commission’s commitment to combating corruption within the country.
The controversy arose following Faith Odhiambo’s critique of the EACC’s performance, wherein she accused the agency of failing Kenyans by allegedly withdrawing court cases on a consistent basis. She emphasized the need for the EACC to address internal issues before embarking on campaigns to combat corruption.
Odhiambo’s comments were made in response to a recent survey conducted by the EACC, which unveiled alarming statistics regarding bribery in various sectors. The survey, released on March 27, highlighted the prevalence of corruption in service delivery, with staggering amounts of bribes being demanded by officials.
According to the survey findings, employees at the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) were reported to demand the highest bribes, amounting to Ksh81,801, followed closely by personnel within the Judiciary, who sought bribes averaging Ksh49,611.
The report also shed light on the extortion faced by individuals seeking essential services, such as passport issuance and obtaining police abstracts. Applicants for passports were found to pay an average bribe of Ksh74,428, while those seeking police abstracts had to part with approximately Ksh20,300.
The release of these findings sparked widespread debate and scrutiny, with stakeholders calling for urgent measures to curb corruption and enhance transparency within government institutions.
As tensions escalate between the EACC and the LSK president, the public remains vigilant, awaiting further developments in this ongoing saga. The exchange underscores the pressing need for collaborative efforts to tackle corruption and uphold integrity within Kenya’s governance structures.