EU voices Kenya concern

2004-07-06 20:12

Nairobi - The European Union (EU) on Tuesday voiced concern over perceived threats to the Kenyan government's fight against corruption, a statement released in Nairobi by the Dutch embassy said.

The Netherlands currently holds the rotating EU presidency.

Twenty-five EU nations are "like many other donors, civil society and the people of Kenya, concerned about the evident threats to the anti-corruption efforts of the government," the statement said.

In last week's cabinet reshuffle, President Mwai Kibaki announced that the office of the permanent secretary in charge of fighting corruption has been moved from the presidency to the justice ministry.

The decision was widely criticised, seen as weakening the anti-corruption war. It was later rescinded.

The EU said that concrete results on the promises made prior the December 2002 polls that brought Kibaki to power have been below expectations.

"Structures to fight corruption have been set up, but the effect of this structure, like Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC), is yet to be visible. An important aspect is transparency of anti-corruption investigations for the civil society in Kenya," the statement added.

- SAPA