Kisii Woman Representative Doris Donya has been drawn into public focus after youth activist Justin Siocha mentioned her name in a corruption disclosure that has renewed discussion about the dangers faced by those who speak up in Kenya.
Siocha has been raising concerns about suspected misuse of money under the National Government Affirmative Action Fund, saying his attempts to uncover questionable spending have exposed him to threats and violent attacks.
On Tuesday night, he was assaulted while heading home, only months after escaping a previous abduction attempt.
In his claims, Siocha pointed to funds linked to youth groups in Kisii County that he says do not exist. He believes these funds were tied to projects associated with the woman representative’s office.
His experience has once again brought to national attention the reality that whistleblowers in Kenya often remain unprotected.
He described one of the frightening encounters by recalling how someone smashed his car door and struck the window with a machete before injuring him, leaving him shaken and troubled for his family’s safety.
His situation reflects a long pattern of hardship for individuals who expose wrongdoing. The late David Munyakei, who revealed the Goldenberg scandal, died in hardship after his efforts to ensure accountability.
Jacob Juma, known for speaking out about NYS and Eurobond issues, was killed. Spencer Sankale from Maasai Mara University lost his job after revealing corruption at the institution, and Douglas Muchela, a cook at Mukumu Girls’ High School, was dismissed after raising concerns about unsafe food.
These cases show the heavy cost that often follows acts of courage.
More than ten years ago, the Whistleblower Protection Bill was drafted to shield people like Siocha from harm. However, it has remained stuck in Parliament with no real progress. Successive governments have made promises, yet the bill has never been debated or passed.
Kenya continues to depend on scattered legal clauses in laws such as the Leadership and Integrity Act of 2012 and the Witness Protection Act of 2006.
These laws offer only limited help and fail to guarantee real safety.
Lawyer Lempaa Suiyanka recently questioned why major political decisions can be concluded quickly while a law meant to protect citizens who reveal the truth has remained stagnant for twelve years.
Siocha’s situation, which now touches on the office of Kisii Woman Representative Doris Donya, shows how deep the problem runs. Until Parliament resolves the long delay and passes the Whistleblower Protection Bill, Kenyans who choose honesty will continue to pay a high and painful price.
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