Civil Society Organization under had the Citizen Agenda Pillar reflected on some of the recent developments in the country’s governance and state of corruption in Kenya.
Citizens Agenda Pillar of the Multi-Sectoral Forum stated that they read through the Kenya Kwanza Manifesto.
“The Bottom-Up Economic Trans-Formation Agenda 2022 – 2027”, has identified a number of strands that relate to good governance that can be strengthened to combat corruption.” Said Mr. Suba Churchill Executive Director Kenya National Civil Society.
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The Kenya Kwanza Alliance made a number of pledges and commitments in relation to implementation and operationalization.
Under the implementation of the Constitution, the Kenya Kwanza Alliance committed to:
1.End the weaponization and politicization of the anti-corruption effort by allowing the relevant institutions to freely exercise the independence given to them by the Constitution.
- Grant financial independence to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission
(EACC) and the police to end their reliance on the Office of the President; - Promote accountability and openness in the management of public affairs institutionalize open governance in all State organs and agencies and publish an annual State of Openness Report.
Citizens Agenda Pillar stated that it will hold the administration to account on the above pledges. In addition, CAP also expect that perhaps the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) will be allowed to freely exercise the independence given to them by the Constitution.
The Citizens Agenda Pillar has taken note of the remarkable and consistent strides that the EACC has made in the recent months in the fight against corruption.
Ethics and Anti-Corruption Corruption headways
Mr. Churchill stated that the Citizens Agenda Pillar would like to commend the EACC for:
- Securing orders of the High Court on June 27, 2023, freezing 2 prime Apartments in Nairobi believed to have been acquired using money embezzled from the County Government of Vihiga by a former Finance Chief Officer and his wife, the then Head of Procurement and his wife, all employees of the County Government, together with 8 others.
- Arrest of Mercy Kavoi, the Roysambu Assistant County Commissioner for demanding Ksh. 50,000 bribes from a Mathare resident in order to return construction materials that Kavoi had confiscated after demolishing the resident’s three roomed, mabati house claimed to be on a road reserve.
- Responding to public complaints that had persisted for some time and finally arresting 4 police officers, including Sgt Burton Mathenge, PC Charo Katana and Cpl Sarah Karimi, all of Buru Buru Police Station; and Sgt Abraham Kiptoo of Embakasi Police Station who had become notorious for engaging in openly collecting bribes from motorists on Outering Road.
Acts of betrayal by Members of Parliament
However, the Citizens Agenda Pillar noted with concern and trepidation the positive and progressive developments highlighted in the recent past have been marred by some retrogressive acts of betrayal by Members of Parliament.
Citizens Agenda Pillar is appalled by the move by the first-term MP for Mbeere North, Geoffrey Kariuki Ruku seeking to amend section 45(2) of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act.
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He went against 2 offences prescribed in parts 2(b) and (c) namely, the failure to follow procurement guidelines and engaging public funds in an unplanned project.
Similarly, the Citizens Agenda Pillar is alarmed at the attempt by the MP for Homa Bay town constituency Opondo Kaluma to repeal section 64 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, 2003 .
The act provides for the disqualification of persons convicted of corruption and economic crimes from being elected or appointed as public officers. Therefore, there is need for action to the actions of the two Members of Parliament.
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