Bar graft convicts from office, urges team
Any person convicted of corruption or abuse of office will be barred from holding public office.
That is if the recommendations contained in the Building Bridges Initiative’s draft proposal are adopted.
“Those implicated in corruption should not serve in public service or do business with public entities,” an excerpt of the 14-page report seen by People Daily says.
In the report, the BBI task force also wants the annual wealth declaration reports made public in both the public and private sectors.
It proposes the amendment of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes (ACECA ) Act of 2003 to provide for making the annual wealth declaration public.
The Constitution, the draft says, should be amended to abolish the Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (EACC) and replace it with a more effective agency.
“Would our solutions require establishment of a new agency or body or strengthening existing ones?” BBI asks and suggests that the DCI, Office of the DPP and the Judiciary be strengthened.
The task force also calls for a review the Ndegwa Commission Report (1970-71) , which allowed public servants to engage in business.
In January, President Uhuru Kenyatta called for a new legislation to address conflict of interest in government.
He directed Attorney General Kihara Kariuki to come up with a legislation to address a legal loopholes that does not bar public officers from engaging in business even when it clearly conflicts his role in government.
“I direct the Attorney-General to come up with a bill to address the question conflict of interest and the unintended consequences of the Ndegwa Commission of 1971.
“Public officers must choose whether to engage in business or serve the public,” Kenyatta said.
