In an effort to combat corruption, which has proven tough to remove in prior governments, President William Ruto has identified seven actions that his administration will implement.
At a press conference held at the State House on Wednesday, President Ruto clarified that the actions were a reaction to the public’s requests for increased accountability and openness from the government.
In order to expedite and prosecute corruption cases within six months, he declared that he will propose changes to the Evidence Act and Criminal Procedure Code in addition to other required changes.
He added that in order to strengthen witness protection, safeguard whistleblowers, and make it safer and simpler for citizens to come forward, he will be putting out revisions to the Witness Protection Act.
Within ninety days, Ruto plans to propose amendments to the Public Finance Management Act and the Public Procurement and Disposal Act, with the goal of modernizing the public procurement system, which has been identified as the epicenter of corruption.
He declared that he intended to implement digital infrastructure in the next six months, saying that this would, in his opinion, offer transparency from contract award to advertisement.
Additionally, the head of state has asked parliament to expeditiously pass the Conflict of Interest Bill, which establishes guidelines for handling and controlling conflicts of interest in the public sector.
If a bill does not establish the highest standards of integrity and anti-graft measures, President Ruto has threatened to veto it.
In order to guarantee that proceedings are finished and deadlines are announced to the public, he further requested that judicial institutions give a schedule for every case that is currently pending.
Simultaneously, President Ruto declared he would collaborate with the legislature to enhance the transparency of the Value Added Tax (VAT) reimbursement procedure.
He claimed that the yearly cost of VAT refunds to firms is Ksh. 400 billion, calling the procedure “opaque.”
In an effort to cut public spending and reroute exercise savings to more productive economic areas, he pledged to increase process transparency.
Finally, in an effort to improve value addition and boost wealth, jobs, and opportunities in Kenya, President Ruto stated he would seek parliament to tighten laws limiting and banning imports of commodities and products currently made in Kenya.
