Kenya government tears up corruption 'list of shame'

NAIROBI, Kenya (Reuters) -- Kenya's government has removed a list of corrupt politicians from a parliamentary report on graft after winning a rowdy vote in the assembly, MPs said on Wednesday.

The unprecedented "list of shame," published in May, linked some of President Daniel arap Moi's closest aides and relatives to corruption and scandal.

Vice-President George Saitoti and cabinet minister Nicholas Biwott had been on the list, as had Moi's son Philip.

But on Tuesday, ruling party MPs with the help of some opposition members passed an amendment to the select committee report, removing dozens of names of leading politicians and civil servants.

Two MPs exchanged blows, and allegations of bribery were shouted across the floor of parliament before the government finally won the vote, the Daily Nation newspaper reported.

"It is very sad, this shows that the government is not committed to fighting corruption," the select committee's chairman Musikari Kombo told Reuters. "Donors can now see there is no willingness."

Kenya is consistently near the top of international corruption tables and key donors -- including the International Monetary Fund -- 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.

The select committee had recommended that those listed should be investigated and brought to court if necessary.

But the government argued that those named were not given a chance to defend themselves. The report will now be retained only as a record of parliament with the names of individuals struck off.

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