The Secretary General of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), Hon. Paran Tarawali, has publicly disowned claims that the Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Francis Ben Kaifala, is a member of the ruling party.
Hon. Tarawali clarified that there is no official record within the party’s files to suggest that Kaifala holds membership status. “There is no document in our records that indicates Francis Ben Kaifala is a registered member of the SLPP,” he stated.
This announcement comes amid reports that Kaifala is nurturing ambitions to contest for the SLPP flagbearer position ahead of the party’s next leadership race. However, Tarawali’s remarks raise questions about Kaifala’s eligibility, as party membership is a prerequisite for anyone seeking to vie for the flagbearer role.
Kaifala, who has served as ACC Commissioner since 2018, has yet to formally respond to the Secretary General’s statement. His potential candidacy has generated significant discussion within political circles, with observers noting that the issue of party membership could become a decisive factor in determining his qualification.
The SLPP leadership is expected to release further clarifications as the party prepares for its upcoming internal contests for flagbearer.
Trained as a lawyer, Kaifala rose to national prominence when he was appointed Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in 2018. His tenure has been marked by aggressive campaigns against graft, including high-profile investigations into government ministries and public institutions. Under his leadership, Sierra Leone improved its standing in international corruption perception indices, earning praise from organizations such as Transparency International.