Kibaki vetoes law on graft

2007-09-28 11:56

Nairobi - Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki on Thursday vetoed a proposed law aimed at barring the national anti-graft agency from probing crimes committed before May 2003, after some of the biggest corruption scandals took place.

Earlier this month, the parliament rejected government amendments to a law that would give the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC) powers to investigate graft allegations before May 20 2003, after the unit was set up.

In addition, the MPs also rejected an amendment that would have made it mandatory for public officials to disclose their wealth.

Kibaki's office said: "The specific amendments to the bill that the president refused to assent include amendments to the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, 2003 and amendments to the Public Officer Ethics Act 2003."

The proposed law would have blocked the agency from probing corruption scandals involving hundreds of millions of dollars, which took place during the rule of former president Daniel Arap Moi, who stepped down in December 2002.

The president's refusal gave the government another chance to present the bills to parliament.

The development came as the country prepared for year-end general elections in which Kibaki would be seeking a second and final term in office.

- AFP