Kenyans split on corruption accused lie detector tests
NAIROBI: Kenyans are divided on an announcement by President Uhuru Kenyatta that the government will subject all its procurement and accounting officers to lie detection test to curb spiralling corruption.
Kenyatta said all the officers would be subjected to the polygraph test by June 30 as his government works to curb corruption that has rocked his administration. Officials in five public institutions are being investigated for corruption scandals.
The institutions are the National Youth Service (NYS), Kenya Pipeline, Kenya Power, National Cereals and Produce Board and the Youth Fund. Some 40 suspects linked to the theft of $90 million (R1.1 billion) at the NYS were this week arrested and charged in court with the crime.
A furious Kenyatta used the Independence Day celebrations on Friday to announce the new measure to tackle graft. “All heads of procurement and accounts in government ministries, departments, agencies and parastatals will be vetted afresh, including taking a polygraph test, to determine their integrity and suitability.”
Some Kenyans believe the radical step would eliminate the vice but others are cynical, noting that it is another scheme to wane public anger but would yield little results. “Lie detection tests would be a first in Kenya. I support it. Any move that would help fight corruption in Kenya is welcome,” said Joseph Kimenyi, a public transport vehicle (matatu) driver.
He suggested the test be extended to the traffic police department, ranked the most corrupt institution in Kenya for ages. “In fact, they should start with the police,” he said.
Georgina Musavi, a salonist was hopeful that the lie detection test would eliminate corrupt people in government and allow the employment of honest persons.
However, critics say a lie detection test is the last thing Kenyans need to fight corruption. “Kenya needs political will not lie detectors. Kenya is gripped in corruption because the political class is benefiting from it and has allowed it,” said Dismas Okoth, a youth leader in the east of Nairobi. Okoth said if the government was keen on fighting corruption, Kenyatta would have ordered the incarceration of all people linked to graft, including his close allies.
“So many top politicians and government officials have been named in graft scandals but they continue to serve. Are they going to take a lie detection test? The best way to fight corruption is to start from the top,” he said.