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Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji yesterday warned that leaders impeached over integrity issues and those with pending corruption cases will not be allowed to seek elective posts in the August 9 polls.

Haji denied reports that his office will defer prosecutions against politicians facing graft cases, saying he was quoted out of context.

“My office is focusing on election offences. We need to invest our resources and pay attention to violence related to the General Election. However, we will still focus on prosecuting corruption cases,” Haji said.

The announcement is likely to affect candidatures of several former governors including Mike Sonko, Ferdinand Waititu and Mahmoud Abdi who were impeached over corruption allegations. 

Abdi has, however, been reinstated following a court ruling. Sonko has declared his intention to contest the Mombasa governor’s seat on a Wiper ticket while Waititu will seek to recapture his Kiambu seat. Yesterday, Haji expressed concern of an emerging trend where individuals with integrity issues were seeking elective positions, saying they should not be allowed to participate in the political process. He pointed out the case of Sonko who was impeached over corruption and integrity issues only to shift his political base and seek the same office.

Integrity issues

The DPP was addressing journalists on the sidelines of the 4th International Association of Prosecutors and the East Africa Association of Prosecutors in Mombasa yesterday.

According to Haji, there were ongoing talks with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to ensure such leaders are barred from seeking elective positions in accordance with the Constitution.

Addressing the same event, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission chief executive Twalib Mbarak said the agency is aware of leaders linked to corruption, murder among other integrity issues, who are seeking elective posts.

He said such leaders have been exploiting the loopholes in chapter Six of the Constitution.

“As a commission we have tried, but our hands are tied. We know most of our leaders are not fit to vie for those positions, but the amendment of this section leaves a lot of loopholes that are being used to blackmail the commission,” he said.