afrol News, 16 December - Kenyan anti-corruption officials, who started their investigations into the Moi era after current President Mwai Kibaki was elected one year ago, have so far disclosed illegal transactions by state officials worth more than US$ 1 billion, almost one tenth of GDP.

According to a report by the London-based 'Financial Times', Kenyan anti-corruption officials have been quite successful in their secret international investigation during the past six months. "At least US$ 1 billion of illegal gains made by former and serving politicians and civil servants in Kenya has been uncovered," the officials told the newspaper.

Also, a network of English collaborators has been disclosed by the different investigation teams. The business investigation consultants company Kroll, employed by Kenyan authorities, discovered how stolen money had been transferred to accounts in big British banks and shares in London hotels.

Kenya was internationally reputed for its rampant corruption during the 24 years rule of former President Daniel arap Moi. A promised tough fight against this practice was the main message delivered during Mr Kibaki's election campaign last year and a main reason behind his victory.

As he assumed power one year ago, President Kibaki immediately sought international support and help to genuinely reform the country and sweep out corruption. He was met with enthusiasm from cooperation partner countries, the IMF and World Bank and the Berlin-based anti- corruption group Transparency International. Most of all, however, Kenyans enthusiastically support the anti-corruption fight, refusing to pay bribes.

The largest corruption scandal from the Moi era disclosed so far is the so-called Goldenberg scam, which involved gold and jewel exports. Government investigators have so far mapped illegal gains worth at least US$ 600 million from Goldenberg export company, set up in the early 1990s, but they believe this is only the top of the iceberg.

The Goldenberg scam could involve between US$ 3 and 4 billions of revenues that should have reached the Kenyan treasury during the last decade, according to the investigators. The large funds rather ended up on private accounts belonging to government officials, customs officers, Goldenberg employees, central bankers and foreign companies.

The Kenyan government is now trying to recover these large sums, which almost correspond to next year's budget. Kenyan Justice Minister Kiraitu Murungi recently travelled to London, where most of the Goldenberg money has ended up, preparing a possible freezing of these assets. Given the accumulating proof, the Kenyan government seems to have a fair chance.

Minister Kiraitu also visited Transparency's headquarters in Berlin to be advised on how to recover these large assets. The anti-corruption group however prepared the Kenyan Minister to expect a long and tough fight, referring to the Nigerian government's struggle to recover parts of the more than US$ 1.5 billion stolen by late dictator General Sani Abacha and placed in European bank accounts.

Meanwhile, Kenyans may follow the national fight against corruption on a daily basis in the country's thriving press. Many parallel investigations are uncovering corruption scandals among government officials but also Ministers serving both ex-President Moi and current President Kibaki.

While many praise the current government for its tough and ongoing fight against corruption, many Kenyans however are disillusioned by the row of scandals. The flow of scandals, which also target current Ministers, gives the impression that the current government is no better than the last.

Presently, the government focuses on investigating the pattern of corruption in Kenya, while trials against top officials are yet to be prepared. Even ex-President Moi may be put on trial, President Kibaki has indicated. However, he said, first the Kenyan judicial system needed to be cleaned up, to secure a fair trial.

By staff writers

© afrol News

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