Kenyan vice report suppressed

Kenya ranks among most corrupt countries in the world

Civic groups in Kenya have reacted angrily at the decision by the government to expunge names of corruption suspects from a parliamentary report dubbed the "List of Shame".

The Kenya Human Rights Commission said it was a pity that parliament was missing an opportunity to send a strong message about its stand against vice.

"Instead parliament has earned itself yet another dubiius distinction of an institution that is keen on serving the interests of its kindred", a statement by the Commission said.

The government, backed by part of the opposition National Development Party, argued that those named were not given a chance to defend themselves.

Fighting erupted in Kenya's parliament on Tuesday as the government moved to have names of prominent politicians and senior civil servants removed from the report.

Scandal

The list, published in May, linked Vice-President George Saitoti, President Daniel arap Moi's son, Phillip, influential minister Nicholas Biwott and a number of cabinet ministers to corruption and scandal.

Ruling Kanu party has majority in parliament

The Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims said on Thursday that Kenyans could no longer standby and watch a few individuals in what it called the "house of shame" deliberately and systematically destroy the country.

The Kenyan Assembly worked late on Thursday as opposition politicians made fruitless efforts to have the names retained in parliamentary records.

Kenya has featured prominently in surveys of international corruption and key donors, including the IMF, have suspended aid in protest at rampant official corruption.

The IMF board is due to meet next week to discuss a new lending programme to Kenya.

Moi's son

Moi's aides and relatives accused of graft

A parliamentary select committee had recommended that those listed in the report should be investigated and brought to court if necessary.

Vice-President George Saitoti is named in connection with a huge financial scam known as the Goldenberg Scandal.

The report recommended that President Moi's son, Phillip, should be prosecuted for allegedly evading duty on six imported Mercedes-Benz cars.

The report suggests that a partial amnesty should be offered to officials who own up to corruption within a year and pay back stolen money.