Homa Bay residents ask State to classify corruption as capital offence

Residents of Homa Bay county want corruption and sexual offences be incorporated among capital offences. They were speaking during a public debate on Capital offences and Capital punishment held in Homa Bay town by a state organization called the Power of Mercy Advisory Committee (POMAC). BY JAMES OMORO

HOMA BAY residents have asked that corruption and sexual assault be classified as capital offences.

A capital offence is a crime considered so serious that it attracts a death penalty or life imprisonment.

In a public debate on capital offences and capital punishment organised by Power of Mercy Advisory Committee (POMAC), residents said corruption had led to underdevelopment. Homa Bay Bunge La Wenye Nchi Speaker Walter Opiyo said failure to take serious punitive action against leaders implicated in corruption had hampered the fight against the vice.

"We cannot realise any economic prosperity as a country or county if our governments don't eradicate corruption. And for us to eradicate it, people who are proven guilty before a court of law should be sentenced to death," Mr Opiyo said.

extreme poverty

He warned that corruption would plunge this country into extreme poverty if the Government would not act.

"This country has enough resources to transform the lives of Kenyans. But this cannot be achieved because a lot of funds allocated both in the national and county governments end up in the pockets of a few individuals," he added.

The residents also proposed that those who are convicted of sexual offences be sentenced to death. They argued that sexual offences such as rape and defilement had been on the rise in the area since some perpetrators were fond of repeating the offences after serving their sentences.

John Onyango, a resident, argued that sexual offences had greatly contributed to the spread of HIV.

"Some people are HIV positive because they were raped or defiled. The perpetrators should be sentenced to death to help eliminate the vice," said Mr Onyango.

POMAC Chief Executive Officer Michael Kagika and Vice Chairperson Regina Bosaibi said a majority of residents want those who are sentenced to death hanged.

"They argued that failure to hang these people makes them continue enjoying life in prisons so their death sentences are not felt," said Mr Kagika. He said there are more than 2,800 people who have been sentenced to death in various prisons across the country.

The organisation is set to present the recommendations to various state organs concerned with their implementation.