President William Ruto has announced plans to surcharge any accounting officer or public officer who misuses public resources to eliminate corruption across all government sectors.
Surcharging means imposing an additional fee or payment over the original price.
In a State House briefing shortly after swearing in 19 Cabinet Secretaries, Ruto said the measure would enhance public officers' accountability.
"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.”
"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."
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Further, the Head of State said that the Cabinet would introduce a framework for vetting all public officers to determine their sources of wealth.
He also vowed that all corruption-related cases would be heard and determined within six months.
President Ruto expressed belief that the war on corruption would end if the government made it easier and safer for whistleblowers to come forward and report on corruption.
"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.”
