President William Ruto has announced tough measures on public officers as part of his promise to eliminate corruption across all government sectors. 

In a State House briefing shortly after swearing in 19 Cabinet Secretaries, Ruto promised to surcharge any accounting officer or any public officer who misuses public resources.

Surcharging means imposing an additional fee or payment over the original price. For instance, surcharging on income tax means an additional tax to be paid by the specified officer, whereby the limit is set by the government. 

He added that the measure would enhance accountability from the public officers.

"The reconstituted Cabinet will therefore accelerate the attainment and will build on the solid foundation already built over the last two years but additionally focus on the following critical areas: Covering accountability and fight against corruption," he said.

"To enhance accountability and promote responsibility for the use of public resources, we shall introduce measures to levy a surcharge against any accounting officer or other public officer who has by their action or omission, occasioned loss of public resources in accordance with Article 226 (5), 201 (d) and 232 (b) of the Constitution."

Additionally, he said that the Cabinet would introduce a framework for vetting all public officers to determine their sources of wealth. 

He also vowed that all corruption-related cases would be heard and determined within 6 months.

President Ruto expressed belief that the war on corruption would end if the government makes it easier and safer for whistleblowers to come forward and report on corruption. 

"For this reason, the reconstituted cabinet shall consider relevant amendments to the Witness Protection Act to enhance appropriate incentives. I have engaged with the parliamentary leadership with a view to expediting the enactment of the Conflict of Interests Bill and expressed my determination to sign a robust, effective instrument into law in due course," the president noted. 

In the next financial year, President Ruto promised to adopt a zero-based budgeting system in government. This is a method whereby all expenses must be justified for each new period. 

He added that the process for refunding Value Added Tax (VAT) would be transparent to enhance accountability.

In a past briefing, Ruto said that the country spends close to Ksh.400 billion in VAT refunds annually. Alluding to this, the president said majority of the funds would now be used to finance other investment projects. 

He appealed to the new Cabinet Secretaries to work together to deliver their mandate to transform the country. 

"I give you my assurance of my full support in discharging your mandates, and in executing a reimagined and catalysed transformation agenda. I have already given my undertaking to be the foremost steward of public resources and embraced my accountability for its proper use. Therefore, it is important to make it clear that my support for you ends if it conflicts with my accountability to the people of Kenya," he added.