DPP denies stalling Kemsa corruption case
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has denied claims that it stalled Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) probe.
The DPP was responding to a news story aired by a local television station, Citizen TV, claiming the DPP is yet to return the case file to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) a year after making a pledge to do so.
In a statement, Deputy DPP Emily Kamau said that he has been working together with EACC to ensure that the matter is exhaustively concluded.
“The ODPP wishes to clarify that the only files retained by the DPP in any investigations are a duplicate file and that the same does not in any way stall ongoing investigations,” read part of the statement.
She said the DPP had returned the file to the EACC after identifying the area of further investigation.
Further, she claimed that the news story was inaccurate, malicious and misleading.
“….as it is obvious a lot of work has been going on in the Kemsa probe,” stated the statement.
According to the news story, EACC sources confirmed the files were never returned despite DPPs comments.
On its part, EACC said the file was in their custody and officers drawn from the EACC and DPP were working together.
“EACC wishes to clarify that whereas statutory reports indicate that the investigation files were forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), they have in the intervening period been returned to EACC to address points raised by the DPP. A team comprising officers from both agencies is currently working on the matter,” stated EACC.
As he returned Kemsa files in October 2020, DPP Noordin Haji instructed his prosecution team to team with EACC in order to adequately address the identified gaps.
Haji acknowledged that the scandal surrounding Kemsa is a matter of public interest and the public will be updated with more details as the probe continues.
