Today at Statehouse Nairobi, President Ruto named the second batch of cabinet secretary nominees. Moreover, the president also announced an array of proposals and amendments to be made to laws in a bid to enhance transparency and accountability in the nation’s governance and pacify public dissent towards a government riddled with corruption and impunity.
The president assured the public that individuals arrested during the protests would be released and charges dropped to allow the authorities to expedite the investigation and prosecutions of criminals who sought to take advantage of the protests to threaten security by creating mayhem, theft, and destruction of property.
Read: Ruto Announces 11 Nominees for Cabinet
“I urge the police service to use its mandate responsibly and professionally and in compliance with the constitution, to expedite the handling of cases related to police brutality,” the head of state said. He further requested the relevant ministries to provide accurate data to enable the government to compensate individuals affected by the protests, by loss of livelihood and life.
In a show of grasp to the prevailing call to end corruption in the public service, the president promised to propose the amendment of the Evidence Act and all statutes relating to corruption cases, to expedite the investigation and prosecution of the cases.
Moreover, the president proposed the amendment of the Witness Protection Act to protect and incentivize whistle-blowers to encourage the citizens to call out corruption without fear of retaliation.
Further, he promised to overhaul the public procurement office, identified as the epicentre of corruption. “My office will work together with the parliament to amend the Public Finance Management Act and the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act and integrate a digital infrastructure in the next six months, to bring transparency and accountability in public finance,” he stated.
“I would like to ask the parliament to pass the Conflict of Interest Bill with the explicit caveat that I shall veto any bill without the highest bar of accountability and integrity,” he said of the bill that has drawn hot discussions on public spaces and social media.
The president also pointed out that it was essential for justice institutions to provide a time frame and reasonable timelines, and communicate on execution of cases of public interest.
The president also decried the over 400 billion of tax expenditure used in facilitative VAT refunds. “I will work closely with the parliament in the next 90 days to provide a legislative framework to bring transparency to the process,” he said.
In a show of dedication to enhancing local production, the president promised to work with parliament to tighten legislation to reduce and eliminate the import of goods and products already manufactured in Kenya. This move will see the strengthening of the nation’s production capacity. “We do not want to see our country become a supermarket of imported goods,” Ruto said.
The array of proposals for amendments and promises to enhance governance is not new to the nation’s citizenry who have faulted the president severally for making empty promises. However, with the increase in political pressure and cries for accountability, it remains to be seen whether it could be any different this time.
