JEC DEMANDS SWIFT ACTIONS ON CORRUPTION

The Justice and Equity Commission (JEC) has called on state institutions to take firm and urgent action against corruption, abuse of office, and systemic incompetence, cautioning that failure to act could trigger sweeping accountability measures. In a statement, the commission welcomed a recent High Court ruling awarding compensation to victims of police brutality and unlawful detention, describing it as a “landmark judgment” in the protection of constitutional rights. It urged President William Ruto’s administration to respect and implement the decision without delay.

At the same time, JEC voiced concern over what it termed “systematic efforts to undermine justice” in corruption cases. It specifically appealed to the Anti-Corruption Court to resist any attempt by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to withdraw charges against former Migori Governor Okoth Obado and others accused of embezzling millions in public funds.

The commission further demanded urgent investigations into alleged fraud within the Ministry of Education and the Social Health Authority (SHA). It cited reports of ghost institutions, mismanaged sanitation projects, and misuse of healthcare funds. JEC also flagged other scandals, including the diversion of money from the Fuel Levy Fund under the Ministry of Energy and the alleged theft of education funds meant for schools.

The watchdog directed the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to take action within 18 days, warning that inaction would compel it to petition the courts for the removal of their leadership on grounds of “gross incompetence and dereliction of duty.”

Additionally, JEC challenged Parliament to convene public hearings on the flagged scandals and to enforce accountability through sanctions, prosecutions, and the recovery of stolen resources.