NAIROBI, Kenya – President William Ruto has read a riot act to all public officers implicated in corruption allegations insisting that their days are numbers.
President Ruto spoke early Thursday, August 8 when he presided over the swearing-in of 19 Cabinet Secretaries at State House, Nairobi.
The head of state said moving forward, his broad-based Cabinet shall introduce a legal and institutional framework for a mandatory and continuous vetting of all public officers.
“The same framework will provide the despotary of wealth declaration across the government under one office,” said President Ruto.
The president who was accompanied by his deputy Rigathi Gachagua and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi disclosed that in addition, his administration shall facilitate expeditious investigation and prosecution of all officers linked to corruption and economic crimes
“This would be done through the amendment of the relevant statute including the Evidence Act, the Criminal Procedures Code and provide the determination of all cases within six months,” President Ruto cautioned.
According to President, his ruling Kenya Kwanza administration believes that it’s war on corruption will significantly be boosted by measures to make it easier and safer for citizens and whistleblowers to come forward and report corruption and economic crimes.
“For this reason, the reconstituted Cabinet shall consider the relavant ammendments to the Witness Protection Act to enhance appropriate incentives forward the same to the Cabinet,” he added.
President Ruto at the same time admitted that poor communication, insufficient public engagement and impunity from some public officers has costed Kenya and Kenyans at large
“With the formation of this broad-based cabinet, we will unlock the potential of our country,” President Ruto reassured Kenyans on the inclusivity and unity of the new Cabinet.
On the same breath, President Ruto commended all Kenyans who supported bi-partisan dialogue and negotiations.
“From now henceforth, you will be team-players, servant leaders, faithful trustees, effective stewards of the people’s interests and dependable custodians of their resources,” the head of state told the newly sworn Cabinet Secretaries.
