Anti-graft watchdog withdraws award for Kenya's chief prosecutor

Anti-graft watchdog Transparency International has withdrawn an award it gave Kenya's outgoing chief prosecutor, it said on Friday, accusing him of dropping high profile corruption cases.

Anti-graft watchdog Transparency International has withdrawn an award it gave Kenya's outgoing chief prosecutor, it said on Friday, accusing him of dropping high profile corruption cases. The Kenyan chapter of the global watchdog had awarded Noordin Haji its Integrity Award in 2019, saying he had led his office in prosecuting dozens of corruption cases, which was seen as an historic achievement in a country beset by graft.

Haji, who has been nominated by President William Ruto to become head of the spy agency, has dropped charges against several high profile corruption suspects after Ruto took over last September. Transparency International (TI) Kenya said it had received public petitions against the decision to drop the cases, including those against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Aisha Jumwa, who is a cabinet minister.

"These petitions have raised serious allegations regarding the withdrawal of high profile corruption cases, including those for which you were previously recognised, resulting in the loss of public funds," TI Kenya Executive Director Sheila Masinde said in a letter to Haji released on Friday. Both Gachagua and Jumwa denied any wrongdoing when they were on trial.

The group also raised concerns about six other corruption cases that have been withdrawn by prosecutors, who cited lack of sufficient evidence for the decisions. Haji, whose nomination to the helm of the country's intelligence service is awaiting parliamentary vetting, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Ruto and his top officials have accused his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta, of using the war on corruption to target his political opponents.

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