MP Proposes Life Imprisonment for Corrupt Officials in New Bill

Suspects convicted of corruption offences could soon be handed life sentences should Members of Parliament approve a new Bill fronted by Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro.

The Bill seeks to introduce amendments on the Anti- Corruption and Economic Crimes Act to include among other penalties, life imprisonment for those found guilty of graft related offences.

The Bill comes at a time when the government has stepped up the fight against corruption in the public service following the arrest and charging of Youth Principal Secretary Lillian Omollo over the Sh9 billion scandal at the National Youth Service (NYS).

Ms Omollo was charged last week alongside NYS Director-General Richard Ndubai and 40 other suspects in connection to the scam.

If the Bill sails through, those committing graft related crimes will be handed life imprisonment, a sentence similar to people found guilty of capital offences such as murder, manslaughter and robbery with violence.

Nyoro said his Bill mainly aims at reducing the  high levels of corruption in the public sector. “It is important that as the oversight authority in terms of prudent use of public resources, the National Assembly tightens all the loopholes that have made  the fight against corruption a challenge,” Nyoro told the Nation.

The Jubilee MP further wants the law changed to insert timelines so that all corruption cases are adjudicated and determined within 90 days.

“This will ensure that justice is served within the required time as opposed to the current situation, where cases drag on in court for years and at the end, the suspects are set free to go and spend the ill-gotten wealth. This is something we want to contain,” the MP said.