CORRECTION ON MEDIA ARTICLES

The Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission's attention has been drawn to a lead story appearing in the Daily Nation of 25th March 2006 with front page headline 'Tug-of-war over Mullei" and in the Standard paper of 22nd March 2006 with the heading "Kiraitu questioned for five hours over Anglo Leasing." The Commission takes great exception on seeing articles that are written, with motives only known to the writers, giving an impression that the Commission is partisan in discharging its mandate... The Commission would like to correct the impression created by the two articles as follows:

1. Daily Nation of 25th March 2006 with front page headline 'Tug-of-war over Mullei's" The article states that; "During the meeting, Mr. Kibaki was said to have spoken on the telephone to Finance Minister Amos Kimunya, Civil Service Chief Francis Muthaura and Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission Director Aaron Ringera, asking them to resolve the matter amicably without causing any further embarrassment to the country's major banking Institutions."

The article in it's next paragraph stated that; "...However, between 9:30 and 10am, he (Mullei) received a call from KACC and was asked to go to their offices at Integrity Centre to help investigators finalise a statement. While there, however, he was asked to resign honourably and face no charges".

The Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission is not aware of any such meeting that took place and did not receive any phone call from H.E. the President asking the Commission to and we quote "...resolve the matter amicably..." Secondly the Commission did call Dr. A. Mullei requesting him to appear in-front of the Commission to record a statement which he obliged to and accepted to appear at 10:30am. At no given time did the Director / Chief Executive meet or hold any discussions with the Governor of Central Bank nor did any other member of staff discuss or even suggest to Dr. A. Mullei requesting him to resign "...honourably..." and face no charges.
2. The Standard paper of 22nd March 2006 with the heading "Kiraitu questioned for five hours over Anglo Leasing." The article states that "Kiraitu arrived at the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission offices and met the Director, Aaron Ringera, before he was ushered into a room where grilling took place." It continued to state that "...Kiraitu, in company of Kuria, met Ringera, a former partner in a law firm. Kiraitu was accused by MPs of designing the job requirements for his former "Law partner and bosom friend."

The Commission categorically denies that such meeting ever took place. The Hon. Kiraitu was received by the Public Relations Officer and taken directly to the interrogation room. During the five hour meeting the Director and the Hon. Kiraitu Murungi never met or held any discussions. In a paid advert in February 2006 the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission's Advisory Board Chairman clarified the process that was taken in hiring of the Director and we quote, "We would like to emphasise that during the whole process as set out above and thereafter, neither Hon Kiraitu Murungi, nor any other member of the Government has ever tried to influence the Board one way or the other. In-fact, Hon Murungi has never sought a meeting with members of the Board nor has a meeting between him and the Board ever taken place formally or informally." The article was very clear and we wish the writer would have referred to it.

Lest the frequent repetition of an untruth should thereby gain some degree of credence, the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission wishes to appeal to the media, political leaders and other people in authority, to avoid the propagation of erroneous views and perception that the Commission is bias in discharging it's mandate. The Commission adheres strictly to the fidelity of the Law and performs its duty diligently without any bias or favour or through nepotism. Journalists have also the responsibility of reporting objectively and accurately in accordance to the Code of Ethics for journalists. The Commission calls upon the media to check on the facts of their story and their sources not to allow fabricated stories to run unchecked.

Thank You

Nicholas M. Simani
PRINCIPAL PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER

Posted on Monday, March 27, 2006