Deterrent measures including lengthy prison terms for those accused of corruption are key to eradicating the vice in Kenya, experts have said.
Acknowledging corruption as a threat to Kenya’s national security and economic growth, the experts said concerted efforts are urgently needed to root out the scourge in both the public and private sectors.
Peter Kagwanja, CEO of Nairobi-based Pan African think-tank Africa Policy Institute, said in a commentary published by a local daily that corruption poses a grave threat to Kenya’s stability and socio-economic renewal.
“We need clarity of mind that corruption in all its forms and guises is a crime and the offenders should be imprisoned,” Kagwanja said, adding that the fight against graft should be given similar urgency as that against terrorism, poverty and infectious diseases.
Allegations of graft in Kenya’s public sector have continued to resurface despite the state’s reassurance of its commitment to root out this menace.
Last week, local media reported that a state-appointed auditor had unearthed misappropriation of funds amounting to 50 million U. S. dollars in the ministry of health.
In a rejoinder, the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Cleaopa Mailu, denied loss of funds, adding that adequate safeguards were in place to deter pilferage.
Kagwanja regretted that graft has undermined delivery of critical services like education, health, water and shelter in Kenya and many parts of Sub-Saharan Africa.
“There are legitimate reasons why corruption should be a bipartisan concern. More than 148 billion dollars are lost to corruption annually here in Africa,” said Kagwanja.
He added that corruption poses severe threat to survival of Africa’s nascent democracies while undermining foreign direct investments in the continent.
Kenya could learn from countries like China and Singapore that have demonstrated unwavering commitment to eradicating graft.
Kagwanja singled out Chinese leaders for taking an uncompromising stand against corruption at all levels of public service.
He emphasized that creation of a robust institution with investigative and prosecutorial powers is needed to re-energize the war against corruption in Kenya.
At the same time, Kagwanja reiterated that Kenya’s success in tackling corruption hinges on political goodwill, institutional reforms and attitude change.
His sentiments were shared by Karuti Kanyinga, a political scientist at the University of Nairobi who noted that corruption is a drawback to inclusive development in Kenya.
“Authoritative studies indicate that corruption distorts decisions in public investments. It leads to leakage in development budget and worsens income inequality,” he said.
The professor urged reforms in Kenya’s public procurement laws to seal loopholes that could be exploited by corrupt cartels. Enditem
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(Via: NewsGhana)
