Interpol to strengthen Kenya's capacity in war against graft

Interpol said Tuesday it will enhance Kenya's capacity to combat the rising levels of corruption in the country.

Interpol General Secretariat coordinator for anti-corruption Sebastian Bley told a regional security forum in Nairobi that corruption is evolving due to changes in technology as well increased economic growth.

"Corruption is almost always linked with other crimes such as money laundering and hence need for interagency collaboration in order to combat it effectively," Bley said during the Official Opening of 16th Interpol Global Programme on Anti-Corruption, Financial Crimes and Asset Recovery.

The four-day event brought together security and anti-corruption officials from across Africa to review ways of fighting corruption.

Bley said that Interpol will also provide Kenya with a framework to exchange information with other nations via secure channels.

He noted that the proliferation of technology makes it easier to transfer funds from illicit sources. "In the past people had to rely on moving solid pieces of gold or silver but now you can use smart phones to transfer funds to safe havens conveniently," he said.

The coordinator noted that those involved in corruption on a large scale always prefer to keep their funds abroad where it is difficult for Kenyan authorizes to trace the assets.

The Interpol official noted that Africa is experiencing an upsurge in corruption due to economic expansion.

"This has increased the opportunities for both private and public officials to engage in corruption to the detriment of the well being of society," he said.

Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission CEO Halakhe Waqo said that Africa has now embarked on a trajectory of growth and development, owing partly to the discovery of rich deposits of natural resources in many corners of the continent.

"The discovery of these natural resources should, ideally, enhance the transformation of the economies of African countries," Waqo said.

"However, without entrenching integrity in the exploitation of the resources, this dream will not be realized," he noted. Endit