The Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report released to the public on Wednesday, November 27, proposes a monetary incentive for corruption whistleblowers when the information provided leads to a successful conviction.
According to Article 139(g) of the report, whistleblowers will be awarded proceeds of up to 5% of the money that will be recovered from the corruption syndicates.
The report seeks to “provide material incentives for information that leads to successful asset seizure and/or prosecution for corruption-related crimes.”
“Consider offering a 5% share of proceeds recovered from anti-corruption prosecutions or actions to the whistleblower whose information is necessary to the success of the asset seizure or successful prosecution,” adds the report.
The recommendations further call for the utmost protection for whistleblowers in a bid to ensure continuity of the voluntary act.
“This should be done with due regard for the privacy and safety of the whistleblower.”
In the report, the BBI taskforce indicates the intention to safeguard Kenya from corruption, with a clear aim of ensuring proper public funds management.
“The perception of a rigged economy is one of the greatest risks to a secure, stable and united Kenya. It serves as a major incentive for the utilisation of divisive ethnic politics.”
Other recommendations aimed at fighting corruption include undertaking a rigorous intelligence-led review of the hold of cartels in crucial aspects of the economy and the public systems of budgeting, procurement, regulation and the rigging of markets.
The report also recommends the utilisation of anti-corruption sting campaigns targetting lawyers, judges, and legislators especially in cases that are difficult to prosecute due to the evidential component.
In addition to any custodial sentence of those found guilty of economic crimes, the report also includes punitive fines with the proceeds being used to assist vulnerable Kenyans.
