This archive report was first published on 9 October 2019.
On October 9, 2019, the war against graft in Kenya was deemed long overdue for a significant overhaul.
The Lifestyle Audit Bill 2019, proposed by nominated Senator Farhiya Ali Haji, aims to increase transparency in the wealth declarations of high-ranking government officials.
Currently, the declarations are only accessible through the Judiciary, making it difficult for the public to scrutinize the information.
The proposed bill would make the declarations of the President, Deputy President, and Cabinet members publicly accessible, allowing citizens to dispute or question any discrepancies.
Additionally, the declarations of spouses and dependent children would be filed every two years, closing loopholes in the current anti-graft laws.
This move is a welcome addition to the current set of laws, and it is hoped that Parliament and the Executive will support its enactment.
As the fight against corruption continues, it is essential to address the root causes of the problem, including legislation that favors perpetrators over victims.
The proposed bill is a step in the right direction, and it is crucial that it is passed to bring about meaningful change.
