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UK fraud office halts Kenya probe UK fraud office halts Kenya probe
(20 minutes later)
The United Kingdom's Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has terminated its probe into the "Anglo Leasing affair", one of Kenya's biggest corruption cases.The United Kingdom's Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has terminated its probe into the "Anglo Leasing affair", one of Kenya's biggest corruption cases.
The case involved contracts worth almost $100m between Kenya and the phantom Anglo Leasing Finance company.The case involved contracts worth almost $100m between Kenya and the phantom Anglo Leasing Finance company.
The SFO said it decided to halt its probe after the Kenyan government failed to produce evidence that would enable the prosecution of suspects.The SFO said it decided to halt its probe after the Kenyan government failed to produce evidence that would enable the prosecution of suspects.
Correspondent say the move casts doubt on Kenya's pledge to fight corruption.Correspondent say the move casts doubt on Kenya's pledge to fight corruption.
The SFO began its probe on July 2007, and was investigating offshore accounts in the British tax havens of Jersey and Guernsey, which were used to transfer more than $30m to a company called Apex Finance between April 2002 and February 2004.The SFO began its probe on July 2007, and was investigating offshore accounts in the British tax havens of Jersey and Guernsey, which were used to transfer more than $30m to a company called Apex Finance between April 2002 and February 2004.
The contracts were for sophisticated passport equipment, navy ships and forensic science laboratories for the police force, which have never been supplied.The contracts were for sophisticated passport equipment, navy ships and forensic science laboratories for the police force, which have never been supplied.
The government has now declared that it truly is not interested in fighting corruption Mwalimu MatiMars Group Kenya "This case depended on mutual legal assistance from the Government of Kenya. The director of the SFO has exercised his discretion to terminate the investigation as there is currently no reasonable prospect of conviction without the evidence from Kenya," a press statement from the SFO said.The government has now declared that it truly is not interested in fighting corruption Mwalimu MatiMars Group Kenya "This case depended on mutual legal assistance from the Government of Kenya. The director of the SFO has exercised his discretion to terminate the investigation as there is currently no reasonable prospect of conviction without the evidence from Kenya," a press statement from the SFO said.
The statement however said that if evidence was received from Kenya in the future, the SFO would consider reopening the investigation.The statement however said that if evidence was received from Kenya in the future, the SFO would consider reopening the investigation.
Mwalimu Mati, the head of anti-corruption watchdog Mars Group Kenya said that the decision was a serious setback.Mwalimu Mati, the head of anti-corruption watchdog Mars Group Kenya said that the decision was a serious setback.
"What we are dealing with is a system of impunity where, depending on how much you steal or how close you are to the political powers that be, you are insulated from the application of the law," he told the BBC's Network Africa programme."What we are dealing with is a system of impunity where, depending on how much you steal or how close you are to the political powers that be, you are insulated from the application of the law," he told the BBC's Network Africa programme.
He accused the government of dragging its feet and conducting a cover-up.He accused the government of dragging its feet and conducting a cover-up.
"The government has now declared that it truly is not interested in fighting corruption and indeed is engaging now on a daily basis in corruption scandals which ultimately may dwarf Anglo Leasing," he said."The government has now declared that it truly is not interested in fighting corruption and indeed is engaging now on a daily basis in corruption scandals which ultimately may dwarf Anglo Leasing," he said.
President Mwai Kibaki was elected on an anti-corruption platform but his government has failed to prosecute those responsible for some of the most notorious scandals including the Anglo Leasing.President Mwai Kibaki was elected on an anti-corruption platform but his government has failed to prosecute those responsible for some of the most notorious scandals including the Anglo Leasing.
A former presidential advisor on corruption, John Githongo, alleged that cabinet ministers had been involved in dodgy deals that cost the government millions of dollars.A former presidential advisor on corruption, John Githongo, alleged that cabinet ministers had been involved in dodgy deals that cost the government millions of dollars.
Mr Githongo, who later fled to Britain after claiming to have received death threats, also accused the president of doing nothing over the scam.Mr Githongo, who later fled to Britain after claiming to have received death threats, also accused the president of doing nothing over the scam.
Former Finance Minister David Mwiraria resigned in 2006 to pave way for investigations, but no-one has been charged over the scandal.Former Finance Minister David Mwiraria resigned in 2006 to pave way for investigations, but no-one has been charged over the scandal.