One Big Man Against The Big Men

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Githongo's most serious charge concerns Anglo Leasing. When Githongo first started investigating the phantom firm in March 2004, Ministers connected with the contract denied knowledge of a scam. According to Githongo, Vice President Moody Awori told him that he made a point of not knowing about such things. Awori, who was interviewed by a parliamentary watchdog last week — the first time a sitting Kenyan Vice President has faced such questioning — told reporters afterwards that he is innocent. "I did not at any time engage in any act of cover-up or any wrongdoing," he said. "I have done no wrong either through commission or by omission." But as the heat rose in 2004 — Kenya's Central Bank had started its own investigation — millions of dollars already paid out to Anglo Leasing were suddenly wired back to the Central Bank.

According to Githongo, Justice Minister at the time Kiraitu Murungi then told the corruption buster he should "go easy" on his colleagues. Murungi, who resigned two weeks ago and who, like Awori, appeared before parliament's Public Accounts Committee last week, told reporters they were to blame for his downfall. "You people have crucified me," he said after reading a five-page statement in which he refuted Githongo's claims.

It wasn't just Githongo who sensed the rhetoric against corruption was just talk. Donors too were worried. In mid-2004, then British High Commissioner to Kenya Edward Clay described the new government as arrogant, greedy and possessing a gluttony that had caused it to "vomit all over our [donors'] shoes."

By October 2004, says Githongo, he knew his role in government "would end badly." In January last year, Githongo says, he received threats that his investigation was "dangerous to your physical security" so he quit while on a trip to London. Githongo says he first alerted Kibaki of his suspicion of wrongdoing in April 2004, gave him evidence of the scam within months, and handed him a detailed report into Anglo Leasing last November. But, says Githongo, the President did nothing. It wasn't until Githongo leaked the report that there was any action.

But what action it has been. In addition to the ministerial resignations, the Public Accounts Committee two weeks ago visited Githongo in London to take his evidence and promised a full investigation. Meantime, Chris Murungaru, who last year was demoted from the national security portfolio and then sacked in a reshuffle, has been charged with refusing to declare his wealth to the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission — a hitherto toothless body that Kenyans hope will start doing what it is meant to. Murungaru denies any deception. Kibaki, for his part, has promised to act on Githongo's report. "There are few people among us who have benefited from these social evils committed in the society," he said. "But their actions have adversely affected the entire country." The surging public demand for accountability is a "very big sea change," says Mwalimu Mati, a successor to Githongo at Transparency International. "There's an explosion of outrage by ordinary Kenyans" who feel betrayed by the government. In the past, says Mati, Kenyans would rely on the judicial process to catch crooked politicians. But now political accountability is as important as the courts. "Even the mere whiff of scandal is enough to get you in trouble." Says Githongo: "There are important demographic changes that are catching an older generation of leaders flat-footed; they just don't get it!" Githongo believes Africa is no more corrupt than any other place. "What is different sometimes is the glaring conspicuous consumption of élites that have acquired their wealth corruptly."

Despite the new mood, Kenya's government is unlikely to suddenly clean up its act. "The real measure of change will be how we utilize the information [Githongo] has given us," says Gabriel Ndungu, an assistant program officer at Kenya's Institute of Economic Affairs. "This is not about personalities. It's about getting the institutions that should be looking at this working. Then it's less likely to happen again." One thing's for sure: John Githongo does not stand alone. He has a nation behind him now.