EACC Takes Anti-corruption Message To Mombasa Trade Fair
Lamu governor H.E Fahim Yasin Twaha, is guided by ETPA Assistant Director Ms. Lydia Manyasi to EACC booth at ASK Mkomani show ground.
Mission to Vienna seeks key anti-corruption lessons
The Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission recently sent an eight-member delegation to Vienna, Austria, to learn best practices on the establishment of an Integrity Academy. The team, led by Commissioner Dr. Dabar Malim and Commissioner Rose Mghoi, established contacts with the Kenya Permanent Mission and Embassy, in Vienna, the Federal Bureau of Anti-Corruption (BAK) of the Government of Austria (BAT), International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA) and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC). EACC’s delegation led by Commissioners Dr. Dabar Maalim and Rose Mghoi pose for a group photo with Ambassador Samuel Muthee Gitonga at Kenya Permanent Mission and Embassy in Vienna, Austria. Establishment of an Integrity Academy The August 4th -12th visit was a follow-up to the Commission’s recent registration of a National Integrity Academy with the Technical and Vocational Education Training Authority under the Ministry of Education. The Academy seeks to provide training on ethics, integrity, anti-corruption and governance related areas. Its establishment is underpinned by anti-corruption, ethics and integrity international and regional instruments such as the United Nations Convention Against Corruption and the Africa Union Convention on Combating and Preventing Corruption. It also draws its justification from domestic laws that have mandated the EACC to provide training, education and awareness creation so as to enlist and foster public support in combating and preventing corruption, economic crime and unethical practices. These domestic laws include the Constitution (Chapter six on Leadership and Integrity), Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) Act, 2011, and the Leadership and Integrity Act, 2012. The establishment of the Academy is also informed by two other factors: The findings of a 2016 Countrywide Training Needs Assessment, which revealed that both the National and County Governments lack capacity to entrench good governance, mainstream integrity and seal corruption loopholes. The absence of such a specialized training facility to meet the prevailing needs of the country and in the region. Members of the delegation keenly listen to presentations at BAK offices Vienna. Choice of the study institutions The Vienna study visit covered specialized institutions that are strong and effective in combating and preventing corruption and in providing training and capacity development at the international level. The EACC team learned that International Anti-Corruption Academy is a reputable institution with solid experience and expertise in anti-corruption training and therefore could provide useful lessons to EACC as it establishes its own Academy. On the other hand, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes is responsible for coordinating implementation of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption and, therefore, is a reservoir of diverse and rich knowledge resources developed globally. In addition, it has the network and expertise to provide technical assistance and support to EACC in grounding the academy as it takes off. The other body, Austria’s Federal Bureau of Anti-Corruption, is strong and effective in implementing preventive measures, which include anti-corruption and ethics capacity building. The EACC delegation at the Federal Bureau of Anti-Corruption of the Government of Austria Vienna Office. Kenya’s ambassador to Austria, Samuel Muthee Gitonga, played a critical role in organizing the meetings and accompanied the team in all its official missions. He articulated Kenya’s position on issues of interest and pledged his support to ensure the successful establishment of the academy. EACC delegates led by Dr. Dabar Maalim attentively follow a presentation at IACA. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs manages a special fund for Soft Diplomacy Activities, which the Commission can lobby to utilize to attract and sponsor participants from foreign countries and the region to the Academy trainings,” said Mr Gitonga. “This can be part of the strategy for marketing the Academy regionally and internationally,” he added, further noting that the Mission could facilitate the Commission to seek funding opportunities from the UN bodies in Vienna. Ambassador Samuel Gitonga speaking at the IACA meeting. At IACA and BAT, the delegation met the heads and staff of departments covering law administration and enforcement, academic degree programmes, open trainings, tailor-made trainings, and research and science opportunities. The delegation was exposed to various areas such as the formation, enabling instruments, mandate, functions, structure and operations of the institutions. Martin Kreutner, (right) Dean and Executive Secretary of IACA welcoming the delegation. At UNODC, the team was taken through the systems and procedures that deal with financial disclosures, asset tracing and money laundering issues. These particular areas were of interest for the development of modules for the academy. The delegation at the IACA offices Laxenburg, Austria. Delegation head Commissioner Dr. Maalim thanked all the institutions and the Kenyan Embassy in Vienna for their support in making the trip successful.
President Supports EACC in Graft Purge
Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission Chairman Archbishop (Rtd) Eliud Wabukala with President Uhuru Kenyatta during their meeting at State House in Nairobi, August 18, 2018 /PSCU. President Uhuru Kenyatta has assured the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of his full support and urged it to step up the fight against corruption and economic crimes. EACC Commissioners and Management held a successful meeting with the Head of State who affirmed his personal, and the Governments commitment to the fight against corruption and to supporting EACC in executing its mandate. The President congratulated the Commission for the work being done and reiterated his continued support. He commended the increased inter-agency collaboration in the fight against corruption and directed the Commission to align its focus to the national development agenda. The President was pleased by the Commission’s progress in the ongoing assets recovery process, as we fight to rid our nation of corruption so that we can realize our country’s dreams. EACC Commissioners, CEO and Deputy CEO pose for a photograph with President Uhuru Kenyatta when they paid a courtesy call in Statehouse, Nairobi /PSCU. The Commission’s Chairperson appreciated the Presidents personal support and leadership in the fight against corruption. He said it is through the President’s continued commitment to a transparent, accountable and integrity-led public service that has realised an unprecedented opportunity to address the challenge of corruption in the country. The Chairperson further reiterated that EACC fully supports this initiative and has realigned the Commission’s human capital, technological resources and logistics to ensure we deliver on the mandate of the Commission. The chairperson assured the President of the Commission’s steadfast devotion to combating and preventing corruption and to ultimately, create a society that upholds integrity and the rule of law. EACC Chairman, Archbishop (Rtd) Eliud Wabukala, EBS and EACC Vice Chairperson Commissioner Sophia Lepuchirit converse with the President in Statehouse /PSCU.
Anti-corruption Initiative Launched
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission Secretary/CEO Mr. Halakhe Waqo CBS graced the launch of the Anti-Corruption Initiative organised by Kenya Private Sector Association (KEPSA) under the Multi-sectoral Forum. The National Multi-sectoral Forum is a platform for engagement with leaders from various sectors of the society around a unified and well-coordinated multi-sectoral approach to national development and achievement of the Vision 2030 based on a diverse and inclusive partnership model. It draws its sectoral representation from the Private sector; Religious Community; Media; Professionals; Youth; Women; Trade unions; Civil Society; Academia, Research and Development; and Diaspora. In his remarks, Mr. Waqo expressed appreciation of the work of the multi-sectoral forum and the support to the Commission citing that one of the greatest challenge is the lack of support from the public. He reiterated that the most important person in the fight is the common individual. He further committed that the Commission will continue to carry out its mandate to fight corruption within the process and systems set out. He reminded the participants that the greater calling of professionals is the promotion of professionalism and public good through values-driven activities. He said that EACCs focus is to ensure that public interest is safeguarded by stewards and custodians of public resources and therefore the forum and the Commission share many points at which interests intersect. The greater expectation of the Kenyan people is to see corrupt people prosecuted. To this end, we shall discharge our responsibilities in collaboration with other actors in the justice chain to ensure speedy trial of perpetrators of corruption and economic crime, Mr. Waqo said. He further informed participants that in equal measure, the Commission will continue to invest in the preventive activities because we are firmly of the opinion that preventing corruption is better than curing it. He concluded his remarks by a reminding participants that as professionals, they are key in preventing corruption and they need to rise up to the occasion and do all that it takes to fight corruption in Kenya. He highlighted the Commissions initiatives in the fight against corruption to include but not limited to: Offering Advisory services: to County governments, and Government MDAs; Systems Review: examination of systems, policies, procedures and practices of public institutions like the Judiciary, KICD, FPE Fund, NCBP, NACC, TSC, and Corruption Risk Assessment for County governments; Building partnerships and coalitions against corruption by creating and maintaining an effective collaboration with the media, strengthening networks, development partners, inter-agency collaboration, collaboration with regional and international anti-corruption bodies; inter-agency information and intelligence sharing; Enhancing integrity in the public service: of both the public sector enhancing institutional governance and ethics through training of Integrity Assurance Officers and Corruption Prevention Committees; Providing public education and creating awareness: Outreach Programmes and Regional Clinics, Schools and Education sector outreach programmes, and development, production and dissemination of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials. Ethics and Leadership: Promoting standards and best practices through development of codes; enforcement of ethical requirements. Undertaking research on corruption and governance related issues; Investigation: Receive reports; Act on the reports and forward to the ODPP for prosecution; Litigation and recovery of illegally acquired public and unexplained assets: Assets valued at over KShs. 7.8 Billion recovered through court proceedings and out of court settlements. We always hand back illegally grabbed public lands to the government. H.E. Amb. Robert Godec US Ambassador to Kenya noted that this initiative offers welcome support to the critically important anti-corruption push underway by President Kenyatta and by other top Kenyan government officials, including the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), Director of Public Prosecutions, the Director of Criminal Investigations, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Auditor General, and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission. Ambassador Codec said he welcomes and commends the efforts of the private sector to address this scourge. However, he reiterated that to end corruption, end theft, and end plunder, Kenya needs a national movement and sustained war on corruption.
EACCs Audit Reveals Corruption Loopholes In Taita County Government
Reports of the agencys Corruption Risk Assessment reveal weaknesses and inefficiencies in the systems policies, procedures and practices of both the County Executive and Assembly in the financial, stores and human resource management. Similar weaknesses were found in the management of the information communications technology, project, lands and physical planning and records management.
EACC Launch Examination Into The Systems, Policies, Procedures And Practices Of The Ministry Of Envi
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission launched an examination to review and examine the systems, policies, procedures and practices of work in the Ministry of Environment and Forestry. The exercise was graced by the Commissions Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Halakhe Waqo, Ms. Susan Mochache-Principal Secretary, EACC Deputy CEO, Mr. Michael Mubea and Hon. Mohamed Elmi, the Cabinet Administrative Secretary in the Ministry of Environment and Forestry.
Former Nairobi Governor Arrested And Charged
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) arraigned in court former Nairobi Governor Dr. Evan Odhiambo Kidero on 9th August, 2018. EACC sleuths arrested the former Governor on 8th August and detained in the Commission’s police cell. Appearing before Chief Magistrate Douglas Ogoti in the Anti-Corruption Court in Milimani, Dr. Kidero together with 7 others were charged with conspiracy to commit an offence of corruption, namely fraud leading to loss of public funds in the sum of Kshs. 213,327,300 for services not rendered.
Professor Swazuri Charged With Graft
National Lands Commission Chief Prof. Mohammed Abdala Swazuri and sixteen others were charged in an Anti-corruption Commission court with conspiracy to commit an offence of corruption, namely fraud, thereby causing a loss of public funds belonging to Kenya Railways Corporation amounting to Kshs. 221,375,000/= for compensation for acquisition of L.R. Nos. 9084, 9085, 9086, 9087 and 9088 being public land.
City Hall Employees Charged With Sh150Million Asphalt Plant Fraud
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission today 20th July, 2018 arrested 6 of the 7 suspects and arraigned them in the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court. This follows after a meticulous investigations into allegations of fraud and irregular procurement of tender No NCC/RPW&T/T/196/2016-2017 for supply, delivery and installation of an asphalt plant at Nairobi City County. The ODPP with the investigation findings thus granting the Commission the consent to arrest and charge the suspects.
County Chief In The Dock For Graft
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission(EACC) has arrested and arraigned in court Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong on July 4, 2018. EACC sleuths arrested and handcuffed the Governor alongside co-accused in a humbling experience for a State Officer used to trappings of power and opulence. He was charged at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Law Courts together with County Executive Officers (CECs) Bernard Yaite, Finance chief officer, Allan Ekweny and Treasury head Samuel Ombui. The arrest of Governor Ojaamong is the first high-ranking County casualty as the Commission continues with the purge against corruption. His arrest sent shock waves through the other Counties where claims of misappropriation of public resources have been reported to the Commission. The governor and his co-accused face seven counts of corruption-related charges, that include abuse of office, engaging in a project without proper planning and approving payments whereas he did not have the authority and wilful failure to comply with the law relating to management of funds. According to the police charge sheet, the Governor on diverse dates between 15th March, 2014 and 25th September, 2014 conspired to commit an economic crime, to wit engaging in a scheme to defraud the County Government of Kshs 8 Million by entering into a Memorandum of Understanding for a feasibility study on solid waste management to be carried out by Madam R. Enterprises Ltd. The said company had not been procured procedurally and the study had not been budgeted for in the Financial Years 2013/2014. Busia Governor, Sospeter Ojaamong at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court on July, 4th 2018. In the second account, the Governor is accused of engaging in a project without proper planning contrary to section 45(2) (c) as read with section 48 of the anti-corruption and economic crimes act, 2003. The governor is also charged with abuse of office contrary to section 46 as read with section 48 of the anti-corruption and economic crimes act, 2003. He is accused of using his office to improperly confer a benefit of Kshs. 8,000,000/= to Madam R. Enterprises Limited by signing the Memorandum of Understanding with the said Madam R Enterprises Ltd which had not been competitively procured as per Section 2 (b) of the Public Procurement and Disposal Act, 2005 and by approving payments whereas he did not have the authority contrary to section 46 as read with section 48 of the anti-corruption and economic crimes act, 2003. The other co-accused Lenard Wanda Obimbira and Allan Ekweny Omachari, the County Executive Committee Member for Finance and Chief Officer Finance respectively, wilfully failed to comply with the law relating to management of funds to wit Section 138 (6) of the Public Finance Management Act, 2012 by knowingly approving payments amounting to Kshs. 8,000,000 /= to Madam R Enterprises Ltd for a feasibility study on solid waste management, a project for which funding had not been appropriated. Edna Odhiambo Odoyo, Renish Achieng Omullo and Madam R Enterprises Ltd face the charges of fraudulently obtained public funds to wit Kshs. 4,000,000/=, from the Busia County for services that had not been rendered. The offense is contrary to section 45(1) (a) as read with section 48 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, 2003. In addition, they are also accused of failure to pay taxes to the Kenya Revenue Authority amounting to Kshs 551,724/=.