Joint Statement by U.S. Ambassador Robert F. Godec, British High Commissioner Christian Turner, and Swiss Ambassador Jacques Pitteloud
March 13, 2015
The Governments of the United States, the United Kingdom and Switzerland welcome recent actions by the Kenyan Director of Public Prosecutions to combat corruption by ordering prosecutions in Kenya linked to the decade-old Anglo Leasing scandal. These orders and the subsequent arrests were important steps forward by the Government of Kenya in the critical fight against corruption. We encourage the government to build further on these actions, to include through independent and vigorous investigations of all allegations of corruption, and through fair trials and equal treatment under the law for all those charged.
The Governments of the United States, the United Kingdom and Switzerland will continue to work with the Government of Kenya as it seeks to tackle corruption and to build a democratic, secure, and prosperous future.
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For background: “Kenya’s New Anti-Graft Czar Comes with Baggage” by Brian Obara at Think Africa Press.
Last year eighteen diplomats issued an “unprecedented” joint communique strongly condemning corruption; now there are three diplomats applauding actions taken to close the barn door after the horse was eaten! Considering the security implications of the fraudulent AngloLeasing contracts and the consequential damage beyond merely stealing vast sums of money I would have hoped for stronger measures to be taken by the U.S.
Going back 10 years when John Githongo tried to stop this selling out of Kenya’s security the diplomats representing the donors were strongly critical. Since then, we have oscillated and equivocated starting with the theft of the 2007 election itself.