EACC Seeks Powers To Prosecute Corruption Cases Citing Backlog At ODPP: "It's Frustrating"

• In the past, EACC has cited delays in processing cases over the backlog at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP)
• EACC chairman Bishop David Oginde said that it is against this backdrop that it takes the state agency a long time to play its part
• However, David Oginde said that it is not that the ODPP is not effective or efficient, but because they are dealing with so many cases

Dennis Lubanga, a Kenyan journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than 10 years of experience covering politics, news, and feature stories across digital and print media in Kenya.

Nairobi - The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) says it is keen on slaying the dragon of corruption.

To execute this, EACC is seeking a mandate to take cases to court and prosecute them.

In the past, the anti-graft body has cited delays in processing cases over the backlog at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).

Why EACC take so long to prosecute graft cases

EACC chairman Bishop David Oginde said that it is against this backdrop that it takes the state agency a long time to play its part.

"Sometimes, when we forward these cases, we don't know the workload that these people have; we don't know the capacity that they have. We don't know the situation that they are in or the resources that they need," said Oginde.

Speaking to NTV Kenya on the evening of Tuesday, November 5, Oginde said that, as EACC, they would appreciate it if the next stage moved with speed in their cases.

"But if you were to go there (ODPP), you would find that they too are struggling with particular issues. So, a person is sitting and feeling that these people are sabotaging our efforts," Oginde added.

According to Oginde, sometimes it feels as if some people are undermining their efforts.

"It does frustrate me because part of what we need as a nation is to streamline our processes in this fight against corruption. I am on record saying that we should be in a place where we can take cases straight to court," said Oginde.

Why EACC doesn't go through ODPP sometimes

Oginde said that this is what is done in civil cases.

"But there has been fear that if that is done, it could be used to weaponise EACC and disadvantage certain individuals. In civil cases, asset recovery, and unexplained wealth, we don't have to go through the ODPP. We go straight to court, and you see, there is greater a success there because there is a step on the process that is no longer there that could hold," Oginde explained.

He, however, said that it is not that the ODPP is not effective or efficient but that they are dealing with so many cases.

"So, if that were given, it would shorten the process, and there could be greater results whichever way so that even for the accused persons, it could be better for them to know their innocence as soon as possible. so that this thing is not hanging over their heads for years," Oginde further said.

Earlier, TUKO.co.ke reported that three traffic police officers were arrested along Mai Mahiu Road near Karagita junction in Naivasha.

During an operation led by EACC, the officers were nabbed at the spot described as a notorious bribe collection point.

EACC Chief Executive Officer Twalib Mbarak said they had collected enough evidence to charge the three officers.