To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment she has made of the level of corruption in the (a) Government and (b) public sector in Kenya. (105174)

Grand-scale corruption continues in Kenya. Kenya was ranked 142 out of 163 countries in the recently published 2006 Corruption Perceptions Index by Transparency International. By comparison Uganda was at position 105 and Tanzania at 93.

We want to see action taken over the major corruption scandals, e.g. the Anglo-Leasing and Goldenberg investigations, and the anti-corruption institutions strengthened. We stand ready to assist in any way we can, including through Mutual Legal Assistance to recover stolen assets, but the Government need to demonstrate their commitment to their citizens to take action.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the potential effects of recent ministerial appointments by the Government of Kenya on (a) corruption and (b) good governance in that country. (105212)

The stepping aside of three Ministers in early 2006 following allegations of their involvement in corruption was unprecedented in Kenya. This move was welcomed by all those supporting the Kenyan Government's stated objective to tackle widespread corruption.

Two of the Ministers, George Saitoti and Kiraitu Murungi, were re-appointed to Government on15 November. These appointments have raised further concerns about the Government's commitment to fully address corruption and improve the wider governance environment.