The Directorate of Criminal Investigations conducted an online survey on graft on Friday, August 28, whereby Kenyans were asked to propose measures that would help curb corruption in the country.
DCI George Kinoti and the Director of Public Prosecutions, Noordin Haji, have numerously faced backlash for failing to convict graft suspects.
In July, Sirisia MP John Waluke and his co-accused Grace Wakhungu were the first suspects to be jailed for 67 and 69 years respectively for stealing Ksh 300 million taxpayers' money through a maize scandal. The duo was also subjected to Ksh 1 billion mandatory fine.
However, they soon may walk scot-free if their lawyers win appeal cases. The DPP nonetheless vowed to object such a proposal while acknowledging that he has a heinous task in nailing another 834 graft suspects.
"Are convictions the perfect measure of success against corruption?" DCI asked.
Lawyer Steve Ogolla differed, stating that corruption was best fought at the ballot. Nyar Mumbo, a Twitter user, reiterated this adding that suspects have a constitutional right to being granted bail and only Kenyans could change such a law through a referendum.
One Masinde proposed plea bargains as a measure which would solve the issue of time spent in courts as well as ensuring graft suspects handed themselves over to the agencies. The High Court directed Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko to enter into a plea bargain with DPP Haji.
Other Kenyans supported conviction as the best punishment for those found guilty, noting that they should be jailed for life and have their assets seized by the state.
"Conviction will deter future corruption suspects from stealing, spur economic growth, empower the citizens and build Kenyans' confidence in the government," Zachybeta responded.
Another Twitter user, Bushman, suggested freezing of bank accounts and denying graft suspects the option to pay cash bails and bonds.
"The DCI and the DPP offices are doing some great work. However, Kenyans are tired of you guys waxing lyrical on the camera- you arrest, they are arraigned and released on bonds and life goes on. If that, and only that, can be changed, Kenya will start sailing in the right direction," Muthoni Nyaga proposed.
The DCI was also accused of witchhunt and making arrests on politically instigated cases. Kenyans proposed the agency to change its perspective and adhere to the law.
In 2020, the DCI and DPP have heightened the fight against corruption. With the recent successes in recovering proceeds of corruption, the government has planned to invest the money for better returns.
Treasury CS Ukur Yattan proposed the creation of the Criminal Assets Recovery Fund which will handle all the money obtained as proceeds of corruption.
Kenya is the 137 least corrupt nation out of 180 countries, according to the 2019 Corruption Perceptions Index reported by Transparency International.
President Uhuru Kenyatta affirmed that more efforts have to be done while directing investigation agencies to narrow down on Covid-19 scandal suspects.
