Heads Of Anti-corruption Agencies In Africa Vow To Recover Stolen Assets During The 8th Commonwealth Review Meeting In Nigeria
Notable guests who graced the Opening Ceremony. From L-R: Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, former President of Nigeria Gen Yakubu Gowon, Nigeria CJ Hon Justice Walter Onnoghen, Secretary General of the Commonwealth Rt. Hon Baroness Patricia Scotland, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Hon. Yemi Osinbajo, Ag. Executive Chairman of EFCC Mr. Ibrahim Mustafa Magu, former South African president Thabo Mbeki and former President of Nigeria Gen Abubakar. The 8th Commonwealth Review Conference of Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Africa was held inAbuja, Nigeria from 14th to 18th May 2018. The Conference theme was Partnering Towards Asset Recovery and its Return.The annual event brought together heads of National Anti-Corruption Agencies from Commonwealth Africa who discussed strategies of overcoming the bottlenecks in the recovery of corruptly acquired assets. The delegates further committed to strengthening cooperation and partnership in the tracing, recovery and return of assets. The Conference was officially opened by the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Hon. Yemi Osinbajo on behalf of the President His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari. In attendance were the Secretary General of the Commonwealth Rt. Hon Baroness Patricia Scotland, former Presidents of Nigeria Gen Yakubu Gowon and Gen Abubakar, former South African president Thabo Mbeki, Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka and Nigeria CJ Hon Justice Walter Onnoghen. The Conference was organized by the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Federal Republic of Nigeria and was attended by delegates from 18 out of 19 Commonwealth Countries in Africa. The Commission was represented by the Chairman Rtd. Archbishop Eliud Wabukala, the Deputy Director Ethics and Leadership Mr. Kairichi Marimba and Senior Ethics Officer Emily Ibeere.
EACC Hands Over Recovered Land Belonging To Karatina Police Station
The EACC Chairperson Archbishop (Rtd) Eliud Wabukala hands over the recovered land documents to Inspector General of National Police Service Mr. Joseph Boinnet as Nyeri Governor Hon. Mutahi Kahiga and EACC Management including Vice Chair Comm. Sophia Lepuchirit, Commissioner Mwaniki Gachoka and Deputy CEO Mr. Michael Mubea look on. The Commission in an event held at the Karatina Police Station in Nyeri handed over property that was irregularly acquired by individuals from the Government. The event was critical as it is a culmination of the efforts made by the Commission in the fight against corruption. The property which was in form of two parcels of land which were recovered by EACC were handed over to The Inspector General of The National Police Service, Mr. Joseph Boinnet. The parcels of land are Karatina Township/ Block II/379 and Karatina Township/ Block II/381.This land had been reserved for Police Housing as per the Karatina Approved Development Plan No. 31 of 13th February, 1973. Karatina Township/ Block II/379 measures approximately 0.0183 hectare and is valued at Kshs.1.5 million while Karatina Township/ Block II/381 measures approximately 0.0286 hectares and is valued at Kshs.2 million. Apart from the land that has been recovered, there are ten other adjacent parcels of land that are in the process of recovery in the Environment and Land Court at Nyeri. These are still public parcels of land reserved for Police Housing. The total acreage of the public land is 0.9 acres whose estimated value is over Kshs. 20 million. These 12 parcels of land border the Karatina Police Station and were hived off leaving the Police Station with no compound even for conducting parades or parking. This is the height of impunity where individual persons steal from the police! The Inspector General of The National Police Service Mr. Joseph Boinnet (left) and EACC Chairperson Archbishop (Rtd) Eliud Wabukala (right) sign the recovered land documents as EACC Deputy Secretary/CEO Mr. Michael Mubea looks on The EACC Chairperson, Archbishop (Rtd) Eliud Wabukala handed over the recovered land to Inspector General Mr. Joseph Boinnet and in his speech told the public that EACC has an elaborate system for encouraging the giving of information on the whereabouts of corruptly acquired assets, including the identity of culpable persons, firms and companies involved. He encouraged members of the public to report to EACC any public officer suspected to be engaging or to have engaged in corruption, any bribe demands made by public officers and any public property that may have been illegally acquired or converted to private use and EACC will take appropriate action. The occasion was also graced by The Governor, Nyeri County, Hon. Mutahi Kahiga, Deputy Governor Caroline Karugu, EACC Vice Chairperson Sophia Lepuchirit, EACC Commissioner Mwaniki Gachoka, Deputy Secretary/CEO Michael Mubea amongst other dignitaries. Some of the members of the public who came to witness the handing over ceremony of irregularly acquired land belonging to the Karatina Police Station in Nyeri County. Posted on Thursday, May 24, 2018
EACC, ODPP And Judiciary Hold A Joint Workshop Under The Multi-agency Taskforce
Part of EACC Executive Management with His Lordship The Chief Justice, Hon. David K. Maraga during the Stakeholders workshop on fortifying a collaborative approach in the fight against corruption at Mt. Kenya Safari His Lordship the Chief Justice Hon. David K. Maraga addressing the participants during the workshop The Commission through the Department of Evidence Analysis conducted a workshop on Fortifying a Collaborative Approach in the Fight Against Corruption: An Experience Sharing in Investigations, Prosecutions and AdjudicationÂ. Key stakeholders in the criminal justice system from ODPP, Judiciary and EACC deliberated on the gains made and the challenges faced in the fight against corruption. The stakeholders further committed to working together to enhance investigations, prosecutions and adjudications of corruption and unethical conduct. The Chief Justice Hon. David K. Maraga, who was the chief guest, in his speech stated that an effective fight against corruption requires collaboration of all stakeholders in the justice sector. He also said that institutional collaboration is not a voluntary or merely a desired way of working, but a constitutional principle of governance that is a requirement under the Constitution, and thus no institution can work in isolation. He further urged the institutions to interact and learn from one another about the individual and collective/institutional effort that can be made to remedy our country from the cancer of corruption. The EACC Chairman, Archbishop (Rtd) Eliud Wabukala in his speech stated that corruption is one of the biggest threats to the countrys efforts to realize its development blueprint and as main actors in the fight against corruption the institutions are expected to be more resolute in the execution of their respective mandates of investigation, prosecution and adjudication of corruption cases. In so doing, public resources will be safeguarded from selfish motives and utilized to uplift the lives of Kenyans as a whole. The Director of Public Prosecutions Mr. Noordin Haji addressing the participants during the Stakeholders Workshop The Director of Public Prosecutions Mr. Noordin Haji spoke on the importance of coordinating and cooperating more since corruption is becoming more complex and there is need to look into the laws to ensure that there is capability to deal with the ever evolving practices of corruption. The EACC Secretary/CEO, Mr. Halakhe Waqo implored the participants to remember that the combined power of a group of people when they are working together is greater than the total power achieved by each working separately and that team work at its best results in a synergy that can be very productive. Group Photo of all the participants from EACC, ODPP and Judiciary during the workshop on fortifying a collaborative approach in the fight against corruption at Mt. Kenya Safari Club
EACC Presents On National Values And The Family During The Family Conference
EACC Commissioner Paul Mwaniki Gachoka making a presentation on national values and family during the Family Conference organized by Ministry of Labour and Social Protection at KICC, Nairobi The Commission participated in the Family Conference organized by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection to mark the United Nation International Day of the family. The Commission was ably represented by Commissioner Paul Mwaniki Gachoka who presented on the national values and the family. In his presentation, the Commissioner spelled out the importance of upholding personal values. Commissioner Gachoka said values are non-negotiable convictions that provide internal reference for what is good, desirable and constructive. He alluded to the fact that upholding values at a family level builds the foundation, structure and boundaries in which to function and thrive. Commissioner Gachoka attributed the decay in our societal values to corrupt practices and unethical conduct in our society. Commissioner Gachoka told participants that Article 10 of the Constitution outlines our National Values. He said these values define our identity, who we are, what we believe in, what we stand for and direct the society towards common good. He further reiterated that the Commission is pleased to partner with key stakeholders in promotion of integrity among learners. He said the Commission, together with the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) have developed content for institutions of learning that will go a long way in ensuring matters ethics, integrity and good governance will be mainstreamed into the new curriculum. In addition, he informed participants that the Commission has and continues to establish and operationalise integrity Clubs in every institution of learning in the Country. He said that Integrity Clubs main objective is to nurture appropriate values and positive attributes among the youth and promote right attitudes and values that influence ethical behaviour and good character among youth. He called on every one to uphold values and lead by example. This he said, the youth will have right role models to emulate. Participants listening to a presentation by EACC Commissioner Mwaniki Gachoka during the Family Conference at KICC, Nairobi
Narok County Leaders Tipped On Integrity And Ethics
Workshop participants at Enashipai Resort and Spa, Naivasha Narok County executives are the latest government officials to be sensitized to the Leadership and Integrity Act 2012, 2015, regulations among other legislations that touch on Chapter Six of the Constitution. The exercise, conducted by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission(EACC), is part of a series targeting the countrys 47 counties. In a two-day workshop, the county executive committee was taken through various sections of Chapter Six of the Constitution and public service governance issues to help in better management of the counties. EACC Commissioner Dr. Dabar thanked the county government for its co-operation in the fight against corrupt practices and unethical conduct. He commended them for being the first county to make significant strides in implementing the laws on ethics and integrity. Among these are, as he noted, the development of specific leadership and integrity codes for their state officers. Dr Dabar further thanked the governor, his deputy and executive committee for signing and committing to the codes of ethics, which he termed as an important step in abiding by the principles under Chapter six of the Constitution and the Leadership and Integrity Act. The County, he said, is also a pioneer in appointing a director in charge of integrity matters and for that we congratulate you, your excellency Madam Governor. EACCs Commissioner Dr. Dabar Maalim making his speech during the opening of the Leadership and integrity workshop at Enashipai Resort & Spa Naivasha. Noting the high level of corruption in country governments, particularly in the health sector, the EACC Commissioner challenged county officials to uphold integrity, reminding them: You are, therefore, expected to at all times, to not only uphold and adhere to the provisions of the law; uphold personal, professional and institutional integrity; avoid engaging in corrupt practices and unethical conduct, but also ensure that those entrusted with public office in the county do the same. Deputy Governor Evalyn Aruasa, who officially opened the workshop, affirmed the countys commitment to the fight against corruption and challenged government officials to remain committed to that agenda. As evidence of that commitment, she noted that Narok County had already established an Ethics Directorate. At the same time, she commended county officials for upholding integrity citing, as proof of that, the Corruption Index that named Narok among the least corrupt counties. Narok County Deputy Governor Evalyn Aruasa making his remarks at the opening of the workshop at Enashipai Resort & Spa, Naivasha EACCs Deputy Director of Leadership and Ethics, Mr. Kairichi Marimba, and Stella Mbelle (Ethics Officer) facilitated the workshop. Mr. Khalid (Nakuru Office regional head) was also present.
Commission Strengthens Ethics In Coastal Lands Offices
Coastal Lands officials pose for a group photograph with EACC secretariat, the Vice Chair Sophia Lepuchirit and Ambassador Julius Kandie( Rep PS Ministry of lands). The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has recently completed a series of capacity building workshops on the implementation of its Leadership and Integrity Regulations, 2015, for ministry of lands officials in the coastal region. The primary aim of the workshops was to foster sound and transformational leadership in order to ensure integrity and ethics in service delivery. The last workshop in the series was held between 3rd and 4th May 2018 at North Coast Beach Hotel in Kilifi County and was officially opened by Ambassador Julius Kandie, who represented the principal secretary in the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning. Ambassador Julius Kandie addressing the participants during the workshop at North Coast Beach Hotel Kikambala Kilifi County. EACC’s Vice Chair Sophia Lepuchirit, who accompanied Ambassador Kandie, noted that the ministry had been adversely mentioned in the recently launched National Ethics and Corruption Survey 2016 where 7.5 percent of respondents cited it as being corrupt. At the same time, she lauded the ministry for its commitment to implement the recommendations of a lands examination survey report launched early in the year by the Commission. She specifically appreciated the ministry’s ongoing efforts to digitize lands records as recommended in the survey. Ms Lepuchirit said that the Commission was committed to providing technical support to develop specific leadership and integrity codes for state officers in the ministry as required under section 37 of the Leadership and Integrity Act 2012. EACC vice Chair Sophia Lepuchirit making a Keynote Address at the opening of the workshop in Kilifi County Ambassador Kandie expressed optimism over the ongoing land reforms, citing the digitization process as a success. He thanked the Commission for its support in the examination process that “has helped the ministry to streamline its services and process to ensure that corruption loopholes sealed”. The workshop targeted lands registrars and senior ministry officials in the larger coastal region.
EACC Hands Over Recovered Land Belonging To Karatina Police Station
The EACC Chairperson Archbishop (Rtd) Eliud Wabukala hands over the recovered land documents to Inspector General of National Police Service Mr. Joseph Boinnet as Nyeri Governor Hon. Mutahi Kahiga and EACC Management including Vice Chair Comm. Sophia Lepuchirit, Commissioner Mwaniki Gachoka and Deputy CEO Mr. Michael Mubea look on. The Commission in an event held at the Karatina Police Station in Nyeri handed over property that was irregularly acquired by individuals from the Government. The event was critical as it is a culmination of the efforts made by the Commission in the fight against corruption. The property which was in form of two parcels of land which were recovered by EACC were handed over to The Inspector General of The National Police Service, Mr. Joseph Boinnet. The parcels of land are Karatina Township/ Block II/379 and Karatina Township/ Block II/381.This land had been reserved for Police Housing as per the Karatina Approved Development Plan No. 31 of 13th February, 1973. Karatina Township/ Block II/379 measures approximately 0.0183 hectare and is valued at Kshs.1.5 million while Karatina Township/ Block II/381 measures approximately 0.0286 hectares and is valued at Kshs.2 million. Apart from the land that has been recovered, there are ten other adjacent parcels of land that are in the process of recovery in the Environment and Land Court at Nyeri. These are still public parcels of land reserved for Police Housing. The total acreage of the public land is 0.9 acres whose estimated value is over Kshs. 20 million. These 12 parcels of land border the Karatina Police Station and were hived off leaving the Police Station with no compound even for conducting parades or parking. This is the height of impunity where individual persons steal from the police! The Inspector General of The National Police Service Mr. Joseph Boinnet (left) and EACC Chairperson Archbishop (Rtd) Eliud Wabukala (right) sign the recovered land documents as EACC Deputy Secretary/CEO Mr. Michael Mubea looks on The EACC Chairperson, Archbishop (Rtd) Eliud Wabukala handed over the recovered land to Inspector General Mr. Joseph Boinnet and in his speech told the public that EACC has an elaborate system for encouraging the giving of information on the whereabouts of corruptly acquired assets, including the identity of culpable persons, firms and companies involved. He encouraged members of the public to report to EACC any public officer suspected to be engaging or to have engaged in corruption, any bribe demands made by public officers and any public property that may have been illegally acquired or converted to private use and EACC will take appropriate action. The occasion was also graced by The Governor, Nyeri County, Hon. Mutahi Kahiga, Deputy Governor Caroline Karugu, EACC Vice Chairperson Sophia Lepuchirit, EACC Commissioner Mwaniki Gachoka, Deputy Secretary/CEO Michael Mubea amongst other dignitaries. Some of the members of the public who came to witness the handing over ceremony of irregularly acquired land belonging to the Karatina Police Station in Nyeri County.
EACC Hosts KEPSA For A Courtesy Call
EACC Secretary / CEO Mr. Halakhe D. Waqo (fourth from left), KEPSA Deputy CEO, Ms. Rachel Muthoga (fourth from right) and officials from EACC and CIPE during the courtesy call The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission on 18th April 2018 hosted the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) who paid a courtesy call on the Commission’s Management. KEPSA Deputy CEO, Ms. Rachel Muthoga was accompanied by the Centre for International Private Enterprises (CIPE) Country Representative for Kenya Mr. Ben Kiragu. CIPE is currently partnering with KEPSA on anti-corruption initiatives. They were hosted by the EACC Secretary / CEO, Mr. Halakhe D. Waqo, the Deputy CEO Mr. Michael K. Mubea and other members of Management. During the courtesy call, both EACC and KEPSA reiterated the need for closer and stronger collaboration in the fight against corruption, specifically in the Private Sector. It was acknowledged that the Commission’s fight against corruption, both in enforcement and prevention measures, has mainly targeted the Public Sector. It was also noted that corruption affects the bottom line in business by making it more expensive in the long run. With the finalization and implementation of the Procedures and Guidelines currently being developed for the Bribery Act of 2016, it is envisaged that the Private Sector will be more engaged in the war against graft. The two agencies discussed various areas of possible collaboration during the meeting and agreed on strengthening their partnership so that they can together fight corruption and promote ethical values in the Private Sector.
Two Top Agencies Pledge To Fight Corruption
The Chair was accompanied by the vice- chair, Sophia Lepuchirit, and other Commissioners as well as the Secretariat The heads of the anti-corruption commission and public prosecutions’ office met yesterday and discussed areas to enhance the fight against corruption. At a press meeting after the meeting, Noordin Haji, the Director of Public Prosecutions, noted: “This meeting is a statement by my office on how the EACC is an important partner in the fight against corruption. We have discussed several areas to enhance the fight against the vice, including involvement of my office in investigations.” Mr. Haji, who had called on Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) Chair, Rtd. Archbishop Eliud Wabukala, at Integrity Centre Nairobi, said his team was committed to seeing more graft cases prosecuted successfully. Addressing the media, the EACC Chair called upon the prosecutor’s office to work as a team to ensure successful prosecution of graft cases, adding that the fight against graft was everyone’s. The two agencies, he said, had discussed various areas of partnership and collaboration, adding that a seamless working relationship would see many corruption suspects brought to book. He pointed out that the Commission was also focusing on prevention efforts as a tool to fight corruption.
Commission Strengthens Financial Accountability For Devolved Units
County government administrators had an opportunity this week to review Draft Administrative Procedures for the management of Declarations of Income, Assets and Liabilities (DIALs) by public officers, which they are expected to validate and adopt. The procedures, which were drafted by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission(EACC), were presented at a workshop on April 17 at the School of Monetary Studies in Nairobi. The workshop targeted County Secretaries and Secretaries/Chief Executive Officers of County Public Service Boards, and other stakeholders. It was officially opened by the Chair of the Council of Governors, Mr Josphat Nanok, who was accompanied by the EACC Chair, Retired Archbishop His Grace Eliud Wabukala. Governor Nanok thanked the Commission for spearheading the process, welcoming it as a step towards the realization of a transparent and an accountable public service. On his part, the EACC Chair highlighted the importance of County Public Service Boards as key players in the governance framework of the County Governments. He urged them to take the lead in ensuring public officials declared their income and assets to guard against public resources being used for private gain. EACC Chair Rtd. Archbishop Eliud Wabukala delivers his speech during the opening of the validation and adoption workshop for draft administrative procedures for DIALs held at the Kenya School of Monetary Studies, Nairobi In his remarks, the Commission’s CEO, Mr Halakhe Waqo, stressed the need to hasten the validation of the procedures whose ultimate aim is to enhance transparency and accountability in the provision of public service. EACC CEO addressing the participants during the Validation workshop. After the validation workshops, the Commission will require each County Public Service Board and County Assembly Service Board to adopt and customize the procedures, publish them in the Kenya Gazette as required by law, and start their immediate implementation. As they do so, the Commission will continue to discharge its oversight and enforcement role to ensure full compliance. It is expected that the implementation will enhance compliance with the law regarding financial disclosures by all state and public officers. This is expected to go a long way in reducing the levels of corruption reported in county governments. Background Part IV of the Public Officer Ethics Act, 2003 requires all public officials to declare their income, assets and liabilities so as to ensure transparency and accountability as one of the strategies in the fight against corruption. Such declarations provide useful information to the Commission for detection of corruption through monitoring of the lifestyles and financial worth of public officials. In order to facilitate the administration of the said financial disclosures, section 33(1) of POEA requires each Responsible Commission such as County Public Service Boards and County Assembly Service Boards, to establish administrative procedures to guide the implementation of financial disclosures by state and public officers. This is a condition that must be met by all Responsible Commissions (entities designated by law to enforce the Public Officer Ethics Act, 2003 to various categories of public officers) failure to which a public officer has no obligation to make their declaration. County Public Service Boards and County Assembly Service Boards are the designated Responsible Commissions in relation to the officers serving in both arms of county governments. To-date, none of these boards has established the procedures. It is for this reason that, pursuant to Section 44 of the Leadership and Integrity Act, 2012, which empowers and obligates EACC to provide advisory services towards compliance with the integrity laws, the Commission developed generic administrative procedures in order to support the County Public Service Boards and County Assembly Service Boards in developing their own by customizing these templates.