Kenya has jumped two places in Transparency International's Corruption Index but remains among countries that are doing badly.
The country improved from position 145
out of 176 countries in 2016, to position 143 out of 180 in 2017, with a score of 28.
"Kenya has made a dismal improvement. Punishment and recovery of assets acquired corruptly are necessary if Kenya is to make improvements in the fight against corruption," Executive Director
Samuel Kimeu said when the report was released on Thursday.
Rwanda was the top scorer in East Africa, at position 48 with 55 points. Tanzania took the 103rd place with 36 points and was followed by Kenya and
then
Uganda (position 151, 26 points).
Burundi followed (157th place, 22 points) and then came
South Sudan (position 179, 12 points).
Ethiopia scored 35 points to take position 107 and Sudan 16 points for position 175, while Somalia was last - position 180 - with nine points.
New Zealand, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Switzerland, Singapore and Sweden were found to be the least corrupt nations globally.
WHAT TO DO
The report noted that governments and businesses must do more to encourage free speech, independent media, political dissent and an open and engaged civil society.
"Governments should minimise regulations on media, including traditional and new media, and ensure journalists can work without fear of repression or violence," the report states.
Transparency International further advised
that international donors consider press freedom as relevant to development aid or access to international organisations.
Other steps are
proactive disclosure of relevant data, including government budgets, company ownership, public procurement and political party finances.
This will
allow journalists, civil society and affected communities to identify patterns of corrupt conduct more efficiently.
"Governments and businesses should proactively disclose relevant public interest information in open data formats," Transparency International noted.
GRAFT, MEDIA FREEDOM KEY FOR KENYA
Recommendations concerning press freedom are particular important for Kenya as local and international leaders raised concerns about recent moves by the government.
After a lengthy and troublesome elections season, President Uhuru Kenyatta was declared winner but Opposition leader Raila Odinga had himself 'sworn-in' as the People's President.
Before the ceremony, the country's main TV stations were shut down, the government saying it needed to prevent a massacre.
Lawyers who helped Raila on that day were punished with arrests and the withdrawal of their passports.
Kenya reopened the stations after pressure by parties including the United States and the European Union.
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Regarding rampant corruption, the President once
officials saying the situation was frustrating.
"Corruption is frustrating me. The pressure is on me to do something about corruption but my hands are tied," he said in October 2016, but he was
crticised for being a cry-baby.
Several of Kenya's leaders pledged a tough war on corruption after their election in August last year. Members of Uhuru's Cabinet have also made this promise.
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