The Ethics Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has banned crowds from accompanying persons summoned for questioning at the Integrity Centre.
EACC Chief Executive Halakhe Waqo says the crowds usually cause distraction at the commission’s offices, in addition to disrupting provision of services to other Kenyans.
“It has been noted with a lot of concern that a number of those summoned have adopted a culture of coming to our headquarters at Integrity Centre while accompanied by huge crowds of people, presumably to demonstrate support and solidarity with them,” read a statement released on Monday. “The commission wishes to condemn this practice in the strongest terms.”
Waqo said only people who are essential in the questioning like lawyers and witnesses should accompany the suspects for the questioning. He added that proper identification of such persons will be required before they are allowed entry.
Waqo declared that the commission will not grant access to any of its premises to any other person or persons purporting to accompany those who have been summoned.
“The commission shall not and has not been deterred from undertaking its mandate by the presence of such crowds, whenever they appear. Members of the public are called upon to desist from being misused in this respect,” he said.
This comes after Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho and Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko were escorted by Members of Parliament and their supporters who camped outside the EACC offices chanting and dancing to music blaring from road show trucks.
The commission has further appealed to persons summoned to record statements or provide evidence to abide by the set schedule to avoid inconveniences.
The EACC has less than 60 days to complete investigations into graft allegations levelled against several public officers contained in a dossier Waqo forwarded to President Uhuru Kenyatta.
