EACC says their will be no “honorable arrests” for governors suspected to have looted

Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission says that it will not grant honourable arrests to MPs, governors or other elected leaders.

Speaking on Wednesday, EACC’s CEO Twalib Mbarak said that any person suspected to have looted from the public coffers will not receive special treatment while being arrested.

Mbarak maintained that they will not order “special vehicles or have air-conditioned cells” for governors or any other high-ranking political leader.

The anti-graft agency CEO asserted during an event planned by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions bringing together all criminal justice agencies and members of the clergy that all criminal suspects will be treated equally no matter the status.

EACC CEO Twalib Mbarak Pulse Live Kenya

Equal treatment even for politicians

Mbarak said the course will not be reversed adding that all suspects will have their day in court to defend their innocence.

Speaking during the event, Director of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti said he’s mandated to probe economic crimes the same way he investigates other offences.

Their sentiments came after the Council of Governor’s raised concerns that EACC was subjecting county bosses to “embarrassment” by arresting them in front of cameras, family members and their constituents.

Governors argued that whereas they do not condone graft, they do not deserve to be treated “guilty as charged even before being subjected to courts of law.”

DCI George Kinoti, DPP noordin Haji, AG Karanja Kihara and EACC CEO Twalib Mbarak Pulse Live Kenya

CoG wants governors treated with decorum

CoG Chairman Wycliffe Oparanya said they must be treated with decorum by the detectives by virtue of the authority of their offices.

“We don’t condone corruption and we are ready to fight it…but the way Waititu was arrested, being frog matched – was so inhuman especially someone of his stature,” Mr Oparanya stated.

“Why can’t they have decency? Just summon the Governor, tell him you wish to go to his house for a search instead of all these dramas in front of the media,” he added.

EACC is currently investigating several governors who might soon suffer a similar fate.