Author: admin_eacc

Upholding Integrity Pays: Learners Told

29.02.2020 The Commission establishes and operationalises Integrity Clubs in schools in recognition of the youth’s contribution to the fight against corruption and unethical conduct in institutions of learning. These interventions are aimed at inculcating values among learners with the ultimate goal being creation of a positive moral fabric and enhancement of social well-being in our society.   On 29th February, 2020, the Commission held two (2) Integrity Club Forums at Pwani University in Kilifi and Kanga High School in South Nyanza, where 22 schools, 750 learners, 24 teachers/patrons, representatives from the Ministry of Education and the Teachers Service Commission were reached. The leaners showcased their resolve to usher in a new dawn of a corruption free Kenyan society. The objectives of Integrity Club forums are to: Create networks of learning and sharing of ideas, experience, best practices, Enhance the knowledge of ethics, integrity, anti-corruption and good governance, Receive reports presented by patrons during the forum on the success and challenges of the Club in their respective schools Enlist the support students in the fight against corruption The event at Pwani University was graced by the EACC Chairman and the Secretary/Chief Executive Officer, Vice Chancellor Pwani University, Kilifi County Director of Education, invited School Principals, Commission’s Regional Manager, Integrity Club Patrons and students. The forum at Kanga High School was graced by Principal Education Officer Migori County, TSC County Director, EACC Regional Manager among other invited guests. Speaking during the forum at Pwani University, the EACC Chair Archbishop Wabukala urged Integrity Club Patrons and all teachers to continue instilling discipline, promoting a culture of integrity; and most importantly supporting the fight against corruption through the Integrity Clubs established in their institutions. He encouraged leaners to identify themselves with morally upright people and shun those of questionable behaviour even if they are student leaders. He emphasised that character counts and informed learners that the traits that they acquire while in school will determine the extent to which they will achieve their goals in future. The Chair challenged the learners to take risks, tackle challenges and work hard to achieve their goals. He noted that globally, it is the young people who have changed the world because they stood for justice and made greater impact in social-political welfare in the World. The EACC Secretary/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Twalib Mbarak, noted that there are indicators that corruption occurs in schools. He cited notable issues related to: misappropriation and embezzlement of funds, irregular award of tenders, nepotism, favouritism, general ethical breaches among others. He therefore appealed to the management of schools to ensure prudent utilization of public resources and assured school managers that the Commission was ready to support their work through its training and advisory program.   The establishment of Integrity Clubs in Kenya was launched on 27th November 2010. Since then, EACC in collaboration with the Ministry of Education has promoted the establishment of these Clubs through frequent school outreach programmes, issuance of Circulars to education managers, training programmes for teachers and education managers, Integrity Club Forums and development of Information, Education and Communication materials. The Commission is currently developing a portable Adili programme for institutions of learning. It is expected that going forward, all schools will be furnished with interactive materials on integrity and anti-corruption. The overall goal of these initiatives is to develop a new generation of Kenyans who have zero tolerance to corruption. The Commission appeals to all education stakeholders to ensure that every school in Kenya has an active Integrity Club that promotes integrity and anti-corruption among learners.

UNODC to Collaborate with EACC in Anti-Corruption Field

21:01:2020: Mr. David Robinson, Regional Anti-Corruption Advisor (East Africa) paid a courtesy call on the EACC CEO at Integrity Centre Nairobi. The agenda of the meeting  was to discuss synergies and future collaboration between UNODC and EACC in the field of anti-corruption.

EU Offers a Helping Hand to Strengthen EACC’s Work

16:01:2020: The European Union will support the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission’s efforts to enhance its capacity through specialized training and trans-boundary investigations. The EU’s Ambassador to Kenya, Mr. Simon Mordue, made the pledge during a courtesy call on the Commission’s team at its headquarters in Nairobi. He discussed the modalities of strengthening the agency’s capacity in asset tracing and recovery, financial investigations and intelligence management. “These fronts,” he said, “will strengthen the quality of the Commission’s investigations to ensure confiscation of illegally acquired property and forfeiture of unexplained wealth to the State.” In a joint media brefing with the ambassador, EACC Chief Executive Officer Twalib Mbarak highlighted some of the Commissions achievements in 2018/2019 financial year, among them the recovery of assets valued at Kshs. 4.5 billion, and prevention of loss of public funds estimated at Kshs.14.5 billion through disruption of corruption networks. Mr. Mbarak was optimistic about the Commission’s continuing war against graft and affirmed his commitment to ensure high profile cases were investigated and forwarded to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. He specifically pointed out ongoing cases in court involving the Governors of Nairobi, Kiambu and Samburu counties, warning that more such cases were in the final investigation stages and would soon be escalated for prosecution. He noted that successful investigation and prosecution of corruption was of mutual benefit to the social and economic wellbeing of Kenya as well as to the EU and thanked the ambassador for his commitment to promote a culture of integrity in Kenya.

Ex Speaker Commits To General Leadership and Integrity Code

18:12:2019: The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has witnessed the signing of the General Leadership and Integrity Code by His Excellency, Shadrack Rotich during his swearing in ceremony as the Bomet County Deputy Governor. The Commission is entrusted with the responsibility of implementing Chapter Six of the Constitution on Leadership and Integrity. As per the requirement of Leadership and Integrity Act No. 19 of 2012; Seçtion 40, each State Officer is required to sign and commit to Leadership and Integrity Code before assuming the functions of the office to which they have been elected or appointed. Mr. Rotich was sworn in by Kericho High Court Judge George Dulu, assisted by Bomet Magistrate Kipkirui Kibelion at Bomet Green Stadium. Mr. Rotich is the immediate former speaker of Bomet County Assembly who resigned from the position after his nomination by the Bomet County Governor Dr. Hillary Kipngeno Barchok to deputize him.

Week-long Activities in 3 Counties to Mark Anti-Corruption Day

6:12:2019: The Commission has rolled out outreach programmes in Makueni, Nyandarua and West Pokot counties ahead of the 2019 International Anti-Corruption Day Commemoration (IACD) set for December 9.  The outreach programmes include, training of state and public officers as well as the Boda Boda Associations, public barazas (December 9), and church engagements. The activities have been rolled out through the Kenya Leadership Integrity Forum (KLIF) and other stakeholders. The International Anti-Corruption Day was designated through Resolution 58/4 of the UN General Assembly on 31st October, 2003. The resolution seeks to raise corruption awareness and the role of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) in combating and preventing it. The day is also intended to serve as a reminder to leaders of their obligation to build democratic institutions responsive to the needs of their people. The Kenya Leadership Integrity Forum is a multi-sector entity that brings together stakeholders for a unified and integrated fight against corruption.  UNCAC’s Articles 5, 12 and 13 make a case for such stakeholder involvements and expects state parties to mainstream them through legislation, policies and any formal structured arrangements. Similarly, the African Union Convention for Preventing and Combating Corruption (Articles 11 and 12) requires state parties to involve the private sector, civil society and media in fighting corruption. KLIF membership is drawn from state and non-state actors and currently has 15 sectors.  The forum is guided by the Kenya Integrity Plan (KIP), which spells out the role member institutions are expected to play in enhancing integrity in the country. The forum is structured as follows: – The National Forum on Integrity, which provides the policy direction in the implementation of the KIP. The patron of the forum is the Head of State; The National Coordinating Committee (NCC), which serves as the steering committee composed of the leadership of the 15 KLIF sectors. It is chaired by the Attorney-General. The secretary of NCC is the Secretary/CEO of EACC and hence he forms the secretariat.  Sectoral committees that plan, implement, review and report about the implementation of the KIP, their achievements, challenges and way forward. Technical committees appointed by the NCC as need arises; and  The secretariat. KLIF’s objectives are to: Provide a platform for a comprehensive stakeholder approach to fight corruption and unethical conduct. Mobilize and empower Kenyans to contribute to and engage in the fight against corruption. Develop and implement a mechanism for evaluating the effectiveness of the initiatives against corruption. Develop and mainstream anti-corruption policies and strategies. Mobilize resources for the fight against corruption and unethical practices. KLIF has organized IACD commemorations since 2009 in different counties with various themes. This year’s theme is, “We are united against corruption for sustainable development. The commemoration events will be held in Makueni County at national level, and at regional levels in Nyandarua and West Pokot.

Malawi Learns About Corruption Prevention from EACC

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission hosted the Integrity Committee of the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) on 13th November, 2019. The committee was on a bench-marking mission and to learn the role of Corruption Prevention Committees in fighting corruption in public institutions. It was also scheduled to meet with institutions that are actively working with EACC to mainstream corruption prevention with a view to replicate the same in Malawi. The team was received at Integrity Centre by EACC Commissioners Rose Mghoi M. Macharia and Dr. Dabar Abdi Maalim. Commissioner Macharia said that a coordinated effort by all institutions countrywide was the best strategy to effectively fight corruption and root it out of public institutions. Commissioner Maalim spoke of the need to inculcate integrity and ethics in the youth from an early age and informed the visitors that the Commission was engaged in curriculum development spearheaded by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development. This engagement is through the Commission’s National Integrity Academy (NIAca). He was hopeful that this competency-based education would help future generations reduce corruption.

Public Officers Have Until 31st December to Declare Their Wealth

The countdown for public servants to declare their wealth has started. They have until December 31 to do so. The reminder came from EACC Chair retired Archbishop Eliud Wabukala when he opened a two-day workshop in Mombasa for newly appointed members of County Public Service Boards. The workshop on management of Declaration of Income Asset and Liabilities (DIALs) was conducted by the Commission’s Directorate of Ethics and Leadership in conjunction with National Integrity Academy (NIAca) the training arm of the Commission.  Chairman Wabukala emphasized the importance of financial disclosures by public officials, noting that it’s one of the fundamental strategies applied around the world in an effort to fight corruption and in the promotion of ethics and integrity in public service. Such declarations he said are to be managed and enforced by the various commissions designated or contemplated under Section 3 of the Public Officers Ethics Act (POEA). “In respect to the management of DIALs,” said the Chairman, some of the key roles of the County Public Service Boards, include; keeping custody of declarations, verifying content of declaration, investigating breaches and taking administrative sanctions on breaches.” He urged all public officers to declare their wealth “as 2019 is a declaration year where all public officials are required to submit their biennial declarations together with those of their spouse/s and children under the age of 18 years. Only 19 out of the 47 county public service boards complied in 2017, which the Chairman attributed to lack of administrative procedures by some Counties. Various facilitators teaching  during the DIALs workshop Mombasa County Governor Hassan Joho, who was represented by the county executive member in charge of Devolution and Public Service Administration, admitted that corruption had been singled out as one of the greatest impediments to devolution and, by extension, to the realization of the country’s development agenda. He urged the CPSBs to entrench ethics in county governments, adding that his government was committed to the war on graft and would continue to support the Commission in line with the Council of Governors’ declaration at a recent workshop in Naivasha dubbed “enhancing corruption prevention in County Governments”.  

System Examinations to Seal Corruption Loopholes

08.11.2019: The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission today launched an examination of the systems, policies, procedures and practices of the State Department for Housing and Urban Development. The review is aimed at: Identifying any weaknesses, loopholes, avenues and opportunities for corruption; and Recommending actions to streamline the systems and seal the identified loopholes in order to prevent corruption and enhance the department’s service delivery. On completion of the review, the Commission will prepare a report of its findings and recommendations which it will present at a public event to the Cabinet Secretary in charge of housing. Thereafter, department will be expected to generate an implementation plan, which should be submitted to the Commission to assist it to monitor the progress of implementation. Affordable housing is a key milestone in the Government’s Big Four Agenda and the review will be useful in identifying loopholes that may derail efficient and effective implementation of projects in the department. The review will be conducted in line with the of EACC’s mandate as stipulated in section 11 (1) (g) and (i) of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2011; and which states that the Commission shall: Advise, on its own initiative, any person on any matter within its functions; and Subject to article 31 of the Constitution, monitor the practices Priligy Generico Online and procedures of public bodies to detect corrupt practices and to secure the revision of methods of work or procedures that may be conducive to corruption practices.

EACC and CoG hold Consultative Forum on Enhancing Corruption Prevention in the Counties

On the 31st of October, 2019, the Ethics and Anti- Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Council of Governors (CoG) held a consultative meeting to discuss corruption prevention strategies in the County Governments. The meeting involved candid and objective discussions by the stakeholders and benefited immensely from insights of the Governor of Central Bank of Kenya on the State of the economy and its implications to County Governments. After exhaustive deliberations, resolutions were made in line with the forum’s theme; “Enhancing Corruption Prevention in County Governments”, to guide structured collaboration and cooperation between the EACC and County Governments. The Resolutions were as follows: THAT County Governments and EACC shall develop and institutionalize a collaborative framework to support corruption prevention in Counties. The framework will transcend political transitions and serve subsequent County Governments. THAT the framework will focus on corruption prevention through inter alia sensitization of County governments and citizens as well as structured support to Counties through the EACC Regional Offices. THAT Excellency Governors shall champion corruption prevention in their respective County Governments as they continue to embrace unity, compassion, fairness and servant leadership. THAT both EACC and County Governments shall set aside funds to support corruption prevention initiatives in the Counties. THAT EACC shall remain objective, transparent and professional in discharging its mandate of preventing and investigating corruption while applying itself within the rule of law. THAT the Council of Governors in partnership with the EACC shall document corruption prevention mechanisms in the Counties for purposes of knowledge sharing, learning and adopting emerging good practices. THAT EACC shall extend its Corruption Risk Assessments and Advisory initiatives to all Counties to aid in proactive identification and sealing of corruption loopholes. THAT the Central Bank of Kenya shall partner with EACC and Council of Governors to strengthen Public Finance Management in the Counties. THAT the Council of Governors and EACC shall establish a joint team to formulate a roadmap for developing and implementing the proposed framework for collaboration by 31st December, 2019. The resolutions were adopted and formalized and a Communique was issued at the end of the Forum.

The Multi-Agency Team Partners With NIAca For Executive Training Course

The National Integrity Academy (NIaca) rolled out a week long course on Leadership, Integrity and Anti-Corruption for Executives in Naivasha. NIAca which is the training arm of the Commission has been instrumental in capacity building of  various government institutions including the County Governments. This time, the training targeted executives from the Multi-Agency Team that include officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, The Judiciary, Office of Director of Public Prosecutions and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission. The course had topics from various subjects with distinguished speakers ranging from: Beyond Intelligence, the simple practice of staying relevant by Dr. Wale Akinyemi Effective Anti-Corruption Strategies by Mr. Jackson Mue Comparative Approaches in the fight against corruption by Dr. Edward Hosea Scrutiny of Kenya’s Anti-Corruption Framework by Prof. PLO Lumumba Emerging Jurisprudence in the fight against corruption by Hon. Douglas Ogoti The DCI approach to investigations by Mr. Carey Nyawinda Building a culture of Integrity by Ambassador Dr. Francis Muthaura Managing transitions in Anti-Corruption agencies by Hon. Justice Aaron Ringera Communicating organizational vision and purpose by Mr. Cosmas Gatere Ms. Muthoni Kimani, Deputy Solicitor General, officially opened the training representing the Attorney General and in her remarks, she urged the participants to be the gatekeepers of national ethics and integrity since they are drawn from various law enforcement agencies. She further asked the participants to tap in the knowledge impacted by the distinguished speakers facilitating the various subjects. The EACC Secretary/CEO Mr. Twalib Mbarak in his remarks said that the training was vital for managers since they require special skills to enhance their capability so that they inspire and encourage their teams to accomplish institutional goals beyond their expectations. He emphasized that the training should be aimed at providing them with various innovative ways to manage and develop people, handle social issues, undertake self-effective management and discover new strategies to strengthen their leadership acumen. In attendance was also EACC commissioners Ms. Rose Mghoi Macharia and Dr. Dabar Abdi Maalim.