President William Ruto has unveiled stringent measures aimed at combating corruption within all government sectors as part of his commitment to eradicate the vice.
During a State House briefing following the swearing-in of 19 Cabinet Secretaries, Ruto announced that any accounting officer or public officer found to have misused public resources would face a surcharge. Surcharging involves levying an additional fee or payment on top of the original amount.
For example, a surcharge on income tax refers to an extra tax that the specified officer must pay, with the limit determined by the government. Ruto emphasized that this measure would bolster accountability among public officers.
“The reconstituted Cabinet will therefore accelerate the attainment and will build on the solid foundation already built over the last two years but additionally focus on the following critical areas: Covering accountability and fight against corruption,” he said.
“To enhance accountability and promote responsibility for the use of public resources, we shall introduce measures to levy a surcharge against any accounting officer or other public officer who has by their action or omission, occasioned loss of public resources in accordance with Article 226 (5), 201 (d) and 232 (b) of the Constitution.”
He also stated that the Cabinet would implement a framework for vetting all public officers to assess the sources of their wealth. Additionally, he pledged that all corruption-related cases would be resolved within six months.
President Ruto expressed confidence that the fight against corruption would succeed if the government facilitates a safer environment for whistleblowers to report corrupt activities.
“For this reason, the reconstituted cabinet shall consider relevant amendments to the Witness Protection Act to enhance appropriate incentives. I have engaged with the parliamentary leadership with a view to expediting the enactment of the Conflict of Interests Bill and expressed my determination to sign a robust, effective instrument into law in due course,” the president noted.
In the upcoming financial year, President Ruto pledged to implement a zero-based budgeting system for the government, requiring that all expenses be justified for each new period. He also mentioned that the process for refunding Value Added Tax (VAT) would be made transparent to improve accountability.
In a previous briefing, Ruto noted that the country spends nearly Ksh. 400 billion annually on VAT refunds. He indicated that a significant portion of these funds would now be redirected to finance other investment projects. The president urged the new Cabinet Secretaries to collaborate effectively in fulfilling their mandate to transform the country.
“I give you my assurance of my full support in discharging your mandates, and in executing a reimagined and catalysed transformation agenda. I have already given my undertaking to be the foremost steward of public resources and embraced my accountability for its proper use. Therefore, it is important to make it clear that my support for you ends if it conflicts with my accountability to the people of Kenya,” he added
