President Uhuru Kenyatta declares corruption a national security threat

President Uhuru Kenyatta has declared corruption a threat to national security.

In his address to the nation, President Kenyatta said that corruption is a major threat to the country’s security and directed all security agencies, the Ethics and Anti- Corruption Commission (EACC), the Asset Recovery Agency and the Financial Reporting Centre to take cognizance of this and rally around the path of transformation.

The President further announced that every company seeking to work with government, both at the national and county level, will have to sign an approved Business Code of Ethics domiciled in the Public Procurement Oversight Authority (PPOA).

“Any business that fails to comply with the Code will be disqualified from doing business with government for a period not less than 5 years and the information will be made public,” said Kenyatta.

The Head of State’s address came after a meeting with officials from the private sector.

Kenyatta, who also received a proposed Bribery Bill from them, directed the Attorney General to begin the process of passing it into law as soon as is possible further indicating that it would be implemented to the letter.

The Bribery Bill will focus on the supply side of corruption on those who give bribes or induce public officials.

Among other measures, it will also penalise the failure by the commercial sector to prevent bribery.

The President further directed the Attorney General to complete the work with all stakeholders to quickly enact a whistle-blower protection legislation that will ensure that those who come forward with information on corrupt practices are protected.

“Following discussions with the Hon. Chief Justice, I am pleased to announce that he has committed to work with the National Council of Administrative Justice to actualize Fast Tracking prosecution of corruption and economic crimes as envisaged in the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act.  He has also assured me that he will make every effort to ensure the setting up a division of the High Court on Corruption and Economic Crimes with a view to ensure we have the necessary institutional framework to sustain this war against corruption, we will review the legal and institutional framework on Customs and Border Protection.”

On securing the public procurement from corruption and cutting wastage in government, Kenyatta directed with immediate effect no public goods and supplies will be procured at prices above the prevailing market price by any public agency at the national and county levels.

He further ordered that the Public Procurement Oversight Authority from today henceforth widely publish its periodical price reference list for goods and services and forward a compliance report on this directive once every quarter for action in accordance with Article 226(5) of the Constitution.

The head of State also noted that delay in government making payment for goods and services it has received plays a big part in creating incentives for bribery and rent seeking.

He, therefore, announced that every Accounting Officer shall be held responsible for ensuring that all payments for goods and services are paid for in a timely manner as prescribed in the supply contract.

“The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, the Criminal Investigation Department and the Asset Recovery Agency, which we are operationalising immediately, will institute proceedings to recover monies from companies that through collusion with public officials supplied above price reference lists,” Kenyatta directed.

The President also urged the DPP, the EACC, the Judiciary, Parliament, the private sector, and all Kenyans, including government officials to help in the fight against corruption.

He expressed optimism in winning this fight saying that the government for the first time in decades had strong tools to demand accountability.

“We will make it expensive for anyone stealing from Kenyans and denying them education, health, security, infrastructure, water and other services that they work so hard to receive form their government.  I call on every Kenyan to be the eyes, ears, and voice of this redoubled national effort.  My office will spearhead these actions and hold everyone I have mentioned today responsible to deliver.”