KENYA: Kenya announced fraud charges yesterday against five high-profile figures linked to its biggest graft scandal. It was the most concrete move yet by a government under heavy fire for tolerating corruption.
Attorney general Amos Wako's decision to charge the men over the long-running Goldenberg case followed pressure from Kenyans and western donors alike for President Mwai Kibaki to make good on his election promise of zero tolerance for corruption.
By charging four former senior government officials and Kamlesh Pattni - a businessman accused of masterminding the scam - Mr Kibaki's government will hope to restore some of its fading credibility.
Mr Pattni has denied any wrongdoing in the case, in which $1 billion was siphoned from state coffers through fake gold and diamond exports in the 1990s under president Daniel arap Moi. Mr Moi's 24-year rule until 2002 became synonymous with graft.
Mr Wako said those to be charged included James Kanyotu (Mr Moi's powerful spy chief), former central bank governor Eric Kotut, his deputy Eliphaz Riungu and ex-treasury permanent secretary Wilfred Koinange. The five could not be reached for comment.
Two other ministers resigned in February over the more recent Anglo Leasing scam, which started under Mr Moi but continued after Mr Kibaki took power.