Kenya plans to implement stricter rules to combat the theft of public money. The changes would allow agents to search homes without first asking the courts.
The voting board could prevent people charged with stealing from running for office. Courts would then decide these cases faster—in just six months.
Attorney General Dorcas Oduor wrote these new rules for President William Ruto. The law would let the state take valuable things from people found guilty, even if they bought those things with clean money.
Courts might need less proof to convict someone. Agents could check phone calls and bank accounts of people they think are stealing. They want to guard people who tell on thieves by giving them new identity papers.
People with bad records might not get government jobs. The anti-theft office would help decide who can work for the state by asking other offices what they know about each person.
When Ruto became president, many said he hired people who faced theft charges, which made some doubt whether he really wanted to stop theft.
But Ruto told lawmakers last year he would crack down on stealing. He wants the police and other officers to work harder at catching thieves.
The new rules would punish anyone who tries to bribe officials. People who help others cheat would face trouble. Officers who steal by buying things would lose their jobs for ten years.
Anyone who ignores the anti-theft office's call to talk faces a fine of 300,000 shillings or three years in jail. Officers charged with stealing must stay away from their workplaces and cease all duties.
State workers who hide bank accounts outside Kenya would pay five million shillings or spend five years in jail. The rules also say elected leaders must give up other citizenships after winning.
The voting board could prevent people charged with stealing from running for office. Courts would then decide these cases faster—in just six months.
Attorney General Dorcas Oduor wrote these new rules for President William Ruto. The law would let the state take valuable things from people found guilty, even if they bought those things with clean money.
Courts might need less proof to convict someone. Agents could check phone calls and bank accounts of people they think are stealing. They want to guard people who tell on thieves by giving them new identity papers.
People with bad records might not get government jobs. The anti-theft office would help decide who can work for the state by asking other offices what they know about each person.
When Ruto became president, many said he hired people who faced theft charges, which made some doubt whether he really wanted to stop theft.
But Ruto told lawmakers last year he would crack down on stealing. He wants the police and other officers to work harder at catching thieves.
The new rules would punish anyone who tries to bribe officials. People who help others cheat would face trouble. Officers who steal by buying things would lose their jobs for ten years.
Anyone who ignores the anti-theft office's call to talk faces a fine of 300,000 shillings or three years in jail. Officers charged with stealing must stay away from their workplaces and cease all duties.
State workers who hide bank accounts outside Kenya would pay five million shillings or spend five years in jail. The rules also say elected leaders must give up other citizenships after winning.
