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{
    "id": 925011,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/925011/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 297,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kiharu, JP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Ndindi Nyoro",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13370,
        "legal_name": "Samson Ndindi Nyoro",
        "slug": "samson-ndindi-nyoro"
    },
    "content": "engaged in collecting bribes from around 1982 to around 1983 to the tune of US$1 million. The Singaporean equivalent of the EACC started going for the Minister. Since he was the friend of the Prime Minister, he started reaching out for help in a way of patronage. However, President Lee Kuan Yew told him to, first, finish the business with the equivalent of the EACC of Singapore and then look for him afterwards. That Minister could not stand the embarrassment that came about with that kind of grave matter. Therefore, the gentleman committed suicide for embarrassing the Government of Lee Kuan Yew. As we all know, such a thing cannot happen in our country. In this country, instead of committing suicide, people who engage in those kinds of crimes are promoted to higher offices by either the populace or the governance system. It is, therefore, upon us to engage with each other on the issue of strengthening the penalty with the aim of instilling fear to people who would like to engage in these kinds of crimes. There are countries which have done very well in terms of combating corruption, especially by enhancing the penalties for such offences. Members may be aware that the immediate former President – who is a daughter of the founding President of South Korea, Ms. Park – is currently serving a jail term of 25 years for engaging in corruption activities of less magnitude than what we see happening in our country. I am just citing examples of some countries that have gone the route I am proposing. Also, some years back, people who were engaged in corruption in China were shot in public and their families were made to pay for the cost of the bullets. The countries I am citing have realised positive results from enhancement of penalties for corruption offences. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, as we contemplate enhancing the penalties for corruption offences, we have to look at the genesis of corruption itself. This is because it happens even in Kenya. A lot of corruption happens on the basis of patronage and on the basis of clientelism. What I mean is that much of the corruption that happens in Kenya is a result of people misusing the offices they occupy. Several economic scenarios have shown that there is a clear correlation between a weak state and prevalence of corruption. There is a direct correlation between the existence of a very weak bureaucracy and the level of corruption in a country. We need to strengthen the bureaucracy that is charged with the fight against corruption. Such institutions cannot be strong if they are not independent enough. Patronage and clientelism is perpetuated by the people with power. Therefore, even as we debate this matter, going forward, we need to look at the issue of strengthening our bureaucracy holistically. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the Ethics and Anti- Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have to rise to the occasion and purpose to be independent so that even as we come up with stiffer penalties, the conveyor belt of corruption can be clean and independent enough so that such penalties can only be meted out to people who deserve them – the people who engage in stealing public resources."
}