This archive report was first published on 4 November 2019.
On November 4, 2019, a proposed law aimed at tackling corruption in parastatals was tabled in Parliament.
The Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes (Amendment) Bill 2019 seeks to introduce a life ban for parastatal CEOs found guilty of corruption, as well as auction their assets to recover lost funds.
Currently, those found guilty of economic crimes face a 10-year ban from holding public office and a fine not exceeding Sh1 million or a maximum jail term of 10 years.
The proposed law change will also make managers of State agencies or parastatals personally liable for losses suffered due to corruption.
"A person who is convicted of an offence of corruption or economic crime and who was involved in the management of a public company, institution or State organ that suffered pecuniary loss as a result of that corruption or economic crime shall be personally liable for such loss," states the Bill.
High-profile cases of corruption in parastatals include the Kenya Pipeline Company, the National Hospital Insurance Fund, and Kenya Power.
Former head of Kenya Power Ken Tarus and his predecessor Ben Chumo were charged with conspiring to commit an economic crime, alongside other senior managers at the utility.
