President Kenyatta Deploys National Intelligence Service in War against Graft

President Kenyatta's continued fight against corruption has taken a new twist after the deployment of the National Intelligence Service (NIS) to monitor the process.

The President has directed the intelligence body to track top government officials involved in corruption and keep surveillance on officers tasked to prosecute corrupt leaders, reports The Star.

"Many senior officials in the anti-corruption chain itself are under intensified surveillance and Big Brother is watching virtually all officers handling the NYS case," the Star says.

Among those the NIS is keeping a close eye on are Judiciary staff including judges, magistrates and court clerks. Others are detectives attached  to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, as well as prosecutors in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The move is aimed at ensuring that those investigating and prosecuting graft lords are not influenced through bribery.

“The President is not taking chances with this fight. He has resourced key institutions fairly well so as to facilitate their work,” a senior official at President Uhuru's office told the Star.

“He has made it clear that those who have stolen must face the law, money must be recovered and proceeds of corruption repossessed. He has personal faith and trust in some of the people driving the fight."

The Star further reports that the intelligence service has been briefing the Head of State on a daily basis on the progress of the cases.

Speaking in Mombasa on Thursday, President Kenyatta said he was aware that some individuals being probed were trying to buy their way out, but declared that no one will be spared.

“A thief is a thief. Whether you are Kikuyu, Kamba, Kalenjin or Digo. You stole alone and you will be jailed alone,” he said.

“I swear to God, this will end,” he vowed. “We will ask you questions on how you got your wealth. If you don’t have answers, there is someone in Kamiti waiting for you. He will give you the answers instead,” Uhuru said as he ordered for lifestyle audit on all public servants.

“Transparency is when all those in authority declare what they own and how they got their property,” he added.