By Grace Gilo
Speaking during his address in the parliament, the Head of State called out the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for its repeated dismissal of corruption cases due to allegedly unable to produce witnesses.
“It cannot be the case that the Director of Public Prosecutions keeps dropping cases because somehow they are unable to produce witnesses,” stated President Ruto.
“It also cannot be the case that corruption suspects rush to court to obtain anticipatory bail, that shields them from due process and enables them to compromise investigations,” the President added.
Recognizing the significant threat corruption poses to social justice, sustainable development, national security, and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, the President expressed his commitment to collaborating with other arms of government.
He urged the Judiciary and Parliament to enhance integrity and efficiency by adopting digitisation and automation.
“As I do so, I must caution that all these measures will only achieve intended results if, and only if, the institutions charged with combating corruption and promoting efficiency and integrity stop hiding behind the transparent screen of independence and rise up to meet the people’s expectations on matters integrity,” the President remarked.
He also pointed out that there is no justification for corruption cases to linger in the courts for extended periods.
“There is also no reason for corruption cases to drag in our courts for years when the same courts are able to determine election petitions and related disputes within six months,” President William noted.
President William Ruto also slammed Parliament for derailing the fight against corruption by derailing the passage of the proposed bill to address conflict of interest.
“I implore you Honourable Members to stop dragging your feet on this bill unless, my friends, there is a conflict of interest in the passing of the conflict of interest legislation, ” President Ruto said.