* Corruption-buster says there will be "no sacred cows"
* Previous anti-corruption chiefs have fared poorly
* Corruption choking economic growth
NAIROBI, July 26 (Reuters) - Kenya's new anti-corruption chief vowed to bring high-profile offenders to book on Monday, but warned there was no quick fix in the fight against a vice that has dogged the country for decades.
"The fight against corruption is a fight that must be fought with vigour, but of course there are no instant-coffee solutions against corruption," Lawyer Patrick Lumumba told his first media conference as director of the anti-graft commission.
Lumumba was unveiled on Friday as the country's new anti-corruption chief. He takes the helm of an organisation criticised for failing to jail public officials whose flagrant theft has embittered many Kenyans and tarnished the country's image in the eyes of investors.
"The war on corruption is not just about sending people to jail, we must also prevent it from spreading," said the new head of the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC).
Analysts say graft's stranglehold has choked growth in east Africa's biggest economy, deterring potential investors.
He is likely to have to stand up to powerful politicians and businessmen if he is to succeed in turning around KACC's reputation. Lumumba said no one would be spared.
"During our watch we shall have no sacred cows," he said.
The fate of other top Kenyan officials who have come in with good intentions and reputations is not encouraging.
President Mwai Kibaki came to power in 2002 on an anti-graft platform, but Kenyan media have exposed corruption in his government. No minister has been convicted of graft during Kibaki's tenure.
MONEY FOR FAVOURS
Lumumba replaces Judge Aaron Ringera, who had led KACC since its inception in 2003. Ringera blamed bad laws and a slow judicial system for hampering his efforts to end high-level corruption.
Kenyan John Githongo, a former head of the country's chapter of watchdog Transparency International, became a whistleblower and fled the country after uncovering major corruption scandals in Kibaki's government.
Sleaze has spread from politicians, to civil servants, private business and ordinary Kenyans who part with little sums of money for favours, especially in government offices.
Corruption topped a February poll on the most important issues facing east Africa's largest economy. Political instability ranked second, in a country convulsed by violence after disputed elections in 2007.
The World Bank has estimated widespread corruption can knock 0.5 to 1 percentage points off a nation's growth rate.
Lumumba said he would have preferred to have powers to prosecute offenders, which his commission lacks.
"Even in the absence of prosecutorial powers there are innovative ways such as civil avenues, and enhancing the good relationship with the Attorney General and the Public Prosecutor's offices," he said.
According to TI, Kenya is no longer perceived to be east Africa's most graft-prone nation, according to a bribery index published last Thursday. Kenya was ranked third most corrupt, behind Burundi and Uganda.
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