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Despite the existence of an Anti-Corruption Commission and several other measures that have been put in place to try to tackle the corruption problem, Kenya is still classified as one of the most corrupt States in the world. Most of these anti-corruption measures were put in place less than a decade ago, and may be categorized as either legal frameworks or as institutional initiatives and other strategies. This work provides a brief summary of the more important measures that have been put in place to control the corruption epidemic in Kenya, but also notes the continuing prevalence of corruption. It then offers key lessons and provides analytical policy recommendations for a more effective control of corruption in the country.
Keywords: Kenya; corruption epidemic; anti-corruption policy; effective control.
Introduction
Despite the government putting several measures in place to tackle the corruption epidemic, corruption persists in Kenya. The reasons for this, and the negative consequences of it, are discussed elsewhere (see, for example, in the list of References at the end of this article, Anassi, 2004; Hope, 2012; TI-Kenya, 2009; Wrong, 2009). The present article analytically discusses key lessons and offers policy recommendations for more effective control of corruption in the country. To set the stage, a brief summary is provided of the key measures that have been put in place by the government to control the corruption epidemic in the country. Most of these anti-corruption measures were recently put in place - less than a decade ago - and may be categorized as either legal frameworks or as institutional initiatives and other strategies. .
Tackling the Corruption Epidemic in Kenya: Control Measures
Legal frameworks
The Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes (ACEC) Act, 2003: This Act was passed by Parliament in 2003. It was assented to on 30 April 2003 and commenced on 02 May 2003. The objective of the ACEC Act is to provide for the prevention, investigation and punishment of corruption, economic crimes and related offences and of related matters... It employs a very broad definition of corruption that includes bribery, fraud, embezzlement or misappropriation of public funds, abuse of office, breach of trust, and any offence involving dishonesty in connection with any tax, rate or impost levied under any Act. It also goes further...