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The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the church yesterday intensified their campaign against election candidates facing integrity questions.

They are pleading with the electorate to reject such candidates in the August 9 General-Election.

Early last month, EACC asked the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to bar more than 240 candidates who are facing allegations of involvement in criminal activities and other forms of abuse of office.

However, IEBC went ahead to clear 236 candidates on the list.

During the commemoration of Africa Anti-Corruption Day, the commission’s chairpersond Archbishop (Rtd) of the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Dr Eliud Wabukala, and his successor Dr Jackson ole Sapit, urged voters to thoroughly vet candidates and only pick those who meet the integrity threshold.

This year’s commemoration was locally themed “Elect leaders of integrity to enhance transparency and accountability.” 

The two said that though the law fell short of standing in the way of leaders who fail the integrity test, voters have the power to ensure the country’s leadership positions are not flooded by convicts and suspects.

‘Mwizi wetu’

Ole Sapit, who was the Chief Guest at the event held at Strathmore University, Nairobi, said graft had been idolised in the country, with voters glorifying and sympathising with perpetrators of the vice instead of condemning them.

The Primate said the tendency had encouraged criminals to use leadership as a shield from justice and a platform to continue with theft of public resources.

“We have idolised those who have plundered and run-down our institutions. We have given them names, mwizi wetu (our thief). We have made them heroes and we clap for them as they steal our future,” Ole Sapit said. “The decisions that we will make in this general election affects either positively or negatively the future generations. If we make the right decisions, the future is bright. If we make wrong decisions, the future is bleak.”

Hangs in balance

Ole Sapit said it was disheartening that anti-corruption agencies lack the laws and mechanisms to stop people who are tainted from running for public office.

“We can prevent a number of corruption cases, unethical conduct and other economic crimes at the ballot. It is easier and cheaper to prevent corruption by electing leaders of integrity than to cure corruption through Enforcement Institutions and Courts of Law,” Wabukala said.

EACC Chief Executive officer Twalib Mbarak said they faced many frustrations in their efforts to have politicians with integrity issues disqualified.

He accused IEBC of clearing majority of the 241 politicians it had flagged as unsuitable for leadership and expressed concern that many leadership positions will be occupied by criminals. 

But the Wafula Chebukati-led commission has explained its decision to clear most of the candidates with integrity questions even as it warned that the fate of some of them still hangs in the balance because of ongoing investigations.

The electoral agency, however, says the fate of former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko and Antony Chitavi (both of who want to run for Mombasa governor) and Karen Ward MCA David Mberia, who was convicted of extortion, remain disqualified under Article 99 of the Constitution.

Sonko had been barred under article 75 of the Constitution on account of impeachment over gross misconduct, corruption and abuse of office.

All clear

IEBC has defended its decision to clear governor candidates such as Ali Korane (Garissa), Muthomi Njuki (Tharaka Nithi) Fahim Twaha (Lamu) and Evans Kidero (Homa Bay), saying its hands are tied because of the “presumption of innocence” for anybody suspected or implicated in criminal activity.

“Under Article 50 of the Constitution on presumption of innocence, the aspirants cannot be disqualified. The aspirants cannot be barred by virtue of ongoing cases,” Chebukati says in a June 23 letter to EACC.

Other candidates IEBC says it has cleared despite having cases of facing investigations are governors Dhadho Godana (Tana River) and Sospeter Ojaamong (Busia), former governors Nathif Jama (Garissa) and Mwangi Waithaka (Nyandarua).

Other prominent names that IEBC says its hands are tied include Kitutu Chache South MP Richard Onyonka, John Waluke (Sirisia), Oscar Sudi (Kasepret), Gladys Sholei (Uasin Gishu), Jonah Mburu (Lari), James Gakuya (Embakasi North), Alfred Keter (Nandi Hills), Jimmy Angwenyi (Kitutu Chache North), Nakuru Town East’s Samuel Arama and Didmus Baraza (Kimilili).