President William Ruto has approved a new set of stringent measures aimed at tackling corruption and increasing accountability within the public sector. In a cabinet meeting held on Tuesday, September 17, Ruto’s government discussed various policy proposals aimed at bolstering government programs and fighting corruption head-on. This was the first broad-based cabinet meeting since Ruto formed his government.
During the meeting, the cabinet resolved to impose penalties on government employees responsible for the loss of public resources. This move is in line with Articles 226(5), 201(d), and 232(b) of the Constitution, which allow for public officers to be held personally liable for actions or omissions that result in financial losses. The new rule stipulates that any government official found guilty of mismanagement of funds will be required to repay the losses and face other disciplinary actions.
In addition, government officials implicated in corruption scandals will now face expedited prosecution. The Cabinet is set to amend the Evidence Act and Criminal Procedure Code with the aim of ensuring that graft cases are concluded within six months. This move is intended to address the public’s frustration with the slow pace of corruption trials and the lack of accountability.
To eliminate the longstanding issue of “ghost workers” on the government payroll, the Cabinet is also set to implement a digitized Personnel Identification System. This system will ensure all public officers are accurately identified and paid, reducing the risk of fraudulent payroll entries.
The Cabinet also discussed plans to centralize wealth declarations under a single government office, which will ensure that all public officers are adequately vetted. There is also a proposal to review the Witness Protection Act to provide better incentives for whistleblowers and encourage the reporting of corrupt practices.
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President Ruto expressed confidence in the progress his government has made so far, particularly in delivering on the promises he made to Kenyans during his campaign. One key program highlighted during the meeting was the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) plan, which will officially roll out on October 1, 2024.
What is the UHC rollout?
The Universal Health Coverage initiative is a key pillar of President Ruto’s healthcare reform agenda, aimed at ensuring that all Kenyans have access to affordable and quality health services. It seeks to address the inequities in healthcare by covering the entire population, regardless of their income level. The UHC rollout will be a major step toward achieving comprehensive health insurance coverage for Kenyans, in line with the government’s commitment to improving public health outcomes across the country.