Kenya has received accolades for its efforts to fight corruption.
The Second Review Workshop on the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) currently taking place in Nairobi has observed that Kenya has made significant strides after instituting legislation criminalising corruption, while undertaking measures to arrest, freeze and seize illicit wealth.
The world body charged with addressing corruption and crime has also called for concerted efforts by all arms of government to ensure that Kenya attains a corrupt free status by the year 2030.
Attorney General Prof Githu Muigai while launching the workshop on the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) Wednesday morning in Nairobi confirmed that the country had already aligned its laws with UNCAC, leading to the implementation of a single vision to curb graft.
“Over the last 12 years, the government has initiated diverse legal and institutional reforms geared towards combating corruption. This has involved the enactment of various anti-corruption laws and establishment of various watchdog and anti-corruption bodies,” he said.
The AG also said the government is currently working on a number of Bills, which upon enactment, will make a significant contribution to anti-corruption arsenal.
These include - Bribery Bill; Access to Information Bill and Whistleblower Protection Bill.
Prof Muigai noted that while issues of corruption and anti-corruption remain centerpiece in everyday conversation in Kenya, there was need to know the outcome of the review of Kenya’s implementation of UNCAC that was undertaken by Cape Verde and Papua New Guinea, member states of UNODC between 2013 and 2015.
He reiterated the importance of collaboration between various actors in the fight against corruption, especially the National Assembly and the Judiciary.
Tim Steele, the Regional Advisor of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for East and Southern Africa Region, observed that Kenya has shown great commitment by strengthening its institutions to fight corruption.
Kenya was the first country in the world to sign and ratify UNCAC when the convention was opened up for signature on December 9, 2003.