Twalib Mbarak Takes Oath as New EACC CEO, Sends Warning to Graft Lords

Twalib Abdallah Mbarak has on Monday taken oath as the new Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Mbarak, a former National Intelligence Service (NIS) officer, takes over from Halakhe Waqo whose six-year tenure ended last week.

He has been sworn-in in a ceremony presided over by Chief Justice David Maraga at the Supreme Court building in Nairobi.

Attorney General Paul Kihara, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji, Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) George Kinoti and EACC Chairman Eliud Wabukala have witnessed his swearing-in.

In his speech, Mbarak has sent a warning to graft lords, stating that it will not be business as usual.

“Corrupt persons thrive on volatility. They exploit it for personal gain, and I am committed to make corruption a high-risk venture in this country. Kenya will be a very inhospitable place for people who are corrupt,” he says.

“I envision a country that is a hostile environment for corrupt individuals. Crime does not expire. You can acquire that dirty wealth but we will come for you. And we will make it very expensive for you because you will not have a retirement benefit from proceeds of corruption,” adds Mbarak.

Twalib Mbarak served in the military for 14 years before joining the National Intelligence Service until 2006.