Your Right, Your Role, Say No to Corruption
14:12:2021: This year’s International Anti-Corruption Day theme, Your right, your role, say no to corruption, seeks to articulate everyone’s role and responsibility in the fight against graft. Isiolo and Mombasa counties hosted the ceremonies dedicated to the theme. In Mombasa, the national event was held at Mama Ngina Waterfront where Attorney-General Paul Kihara Kariuki, who spoke on behalf of President Uhuru Kenyatta, encouraged the public to have a spirited common purpose and individual commitment in the war against corruption as expressed in the theme. “This year’s theme is most apt as it places all stakeholders squarely at the centre of the efforts to slay the dragon of corruption” said the A-G. Highlighting some of the government’s efforts and achievements in the fight against corruption, he cited the Mutual Legal Assistance programme with its goals of increased repatriation of proceeds of crime held outside the country, extradition of graft suspects, and the receipt of key evidence to support both local and international based cases. These, he said, are the steps the government is taking to catch those who hide their ill-gotten wealth beyond the borders. It is done in collaboration with international partners and relies a lot on the digitization of government services which he said continues to offer the greatest opportunity in the fight against corruption. Attorney-General Paul Kihara Kariuki , speaking during International Anti-Corruption Day commemoration at Mama Ngina Waterfront, Mombasa. Noting that the country had made some progress in the war against corruption, he acknowledged that there were some challenges and urged the public: “As this year’s theme sagely recognizes, in the fight against corruption, each of us is a soldier at the frontline. Victory can be delivered but only if each of us plays our rightful role, and if we work closely together.” He challenged the public to uphold values of integrity, hard work, and sacrifice, and to shun the corrupt, shame and refuse to place them on social pedestals. “I conclude by reminding us all that we are all called to renew our commitment to a just, fair, and equitable society in which there is shared prosperity based on hard work, integrity, and corruption free success,” he said. On his part, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission Chief Executive Officer, Mr Twalib Mbarak, urged the public to elect leaders of integrity as the country gears up for next year’s General Election. A series of anti-corruption activities was launched from the 2nd to 9th December in both Isiolo and Mombasa such as school and public outreaches, football matches, town hall youth engagement forums, trainings for public officers and interest groups like church and mosque engagements, public barazas and corruption risk assessments for county executives and assemblies. Background: On 31st October, 2003, the General Assembly adopted the United Nations Convention Against Corruption and requested that the Secretary-General designate the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) as the secretariat for the Convention’s Conference of States Parties (resolution 58/4). The Assembly also designated 9th December as the International Anti-Corruption Day to raise awareness of corruption and of the role of the Convention in combating and preventing it. The Convention came into force in December 2005.
New EACC Commissioners Sworn in
14:12:2021: Colonel (Rtd.) Alfred Mtuweta Mshimba and Dr. Monica Wanjiru Muiru, sworn in as EACC Commissioners at the Supreme Court of Kenya by Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Hon. Anne Amadi in an event presided over by Hon. Lady Justice Martha Koome, the Chief Justice.
Demand Accountability From Political Leaders, Dr Wabukala Urges Religious Leaders
25:11:2021: Chair of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission Archbishop Emeritus Dr. Eliud Wabukala has called on religious heads to ban political activities in churches and demand for accountability from political leadership. He was speaking during a capacity building event, for religious leaders, held at Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development, in Nairobi on Tuesday 23, November, 2021.Dr. Wabukala urged church leaders to support the existing anti-corruption interventions, noting that EACC shares a common interest with religious institutions in shaping the destiny of the nation by championing integrity. Specifically, the Chairman urged church leaders to encourage and educate the faithful through targeted messaging on good governance and integrity.“Let us foster positive values to cause cultural re-engineering and ethical behaviour in our societies. This is possible by using the family unit and homes to pass ‘value-centric’ teachings and lessons to young ones,” he said.The Chairman implored church leaders to support interventions aimed at barring persons engaged in corrupt and unethical conduct from election or appointment into public office. He also invited the church to work together with EACC to advocate for strengthening of the legal framework on implementation of Chapter Six of the Constitution.Religious leaders, he said, can make a contribution in setting the ethical tone to ensure that national values and principles of governance are upheld. He, at the same time, challenged religious leaders to be good role models and integrity champions by demonstrating a commitment to integrity through exemplary character and action with the best of intentions.“As church leaders, embracing the tenets of service with mercy, humility, compassion, fairness, and integrity are crucial in the delivery of services to the people. Christians ought to understand that they are leaders and their lifestyle must reflect Christ-like character not only at church but also in their daily interactions,” The Chairman said.The training aimed at, building capacity of the participants on their role in the fight against corruption and unethical practices, to explore on the various ways the EACC can jointly work with religious communities and to identify priority areas for immediate engagement.
Kenya Pipeline Company Steps up Anti – Corruption Awareness
09:11:2021: The Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) has embarked on a series of anti-corruption capacity building programmes targeting its staff. Through support from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) Department of Education and Public Awareness, the Company has rolled out training of the Corruption Prevention Committee made up of the Executive Management and chaired by the Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director. The anti-corruption capacity building is aimed at ensuring change of attitude and behaviour towards corruption. The series of workshops began in June 2021. Officers who have been trained include, Managers, Chief Officers and senior officers. The training will also be cascaded to all staff as a mechanism for strengthening integrity and efficiency in service delivery. The EACC Chairperson Rtd. Archbishop Eliud Wabukala, in his remarks during an official opening at Sawela Lodges in Naivasha, noted that the training would serve as a proactive preventive approach and an enabler of the Company’s realization of its vision. He further called upon the committee to uphold tenets of good governance through selfless service delivery, integrity, accountability and transparency. The Chairperson noted that the Commission is committed to providing technical support to all public organizations to promote ethics, integrity and good governance. He further urged all officials present to be ambassadors in the fight against corruption. While addressing a team of senior officers on Thursday, 4th November at Boma Inn Hotel, Nairobi, KPC Managing Director, Dr. Macharia Irungu, reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that robust systems for corruption prevention are established. He reiterated that he would firmly deal with the corrupt even before law enforcement agencies take action. He further called upon staff to uphold integrity, ensure value for money and avoid paying for works whose processes are flawed. While addressing some corruption loopholes in project implementation, he urged all technical and administrative officials to adhere to laid down procedures.
EACC Chairman Asks Faith-Based Organizations to Positively Influence the Youth Ahead of General Elections
27:10:2021: EACC Chairperson, Archbishop(Rtd). Eliud Wabukala has called upon faith-based organizations to shield the youth from misuse by politicians as the country heads towards the 2022 general elections. The Chairman asked faith based institutions to instill positive values among the youth. “Let us foster positive values and insulate the youth from misuse in order to cause cultural re-engineering and ethical behaviour change in our societies. This is possible by using the family unit and institutions of learning to pass values-centric teachings and lessons to young ones.” He said. Archbishop(Rtd). Wabukala was speaking at a symposium organized by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) on 27 October 2021 at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development. The Chairman observed that one of the key threats to a credible and peaceful election was social radicalization, “The advent of the internet and social media brought about many advantages and disadvantages and a large section of the society, especially the youth, have become dependent on social media, where some platforms provide negative content leading to social radicalization and collapse of the societal moral fabric.” The Chairperson also called upon faith-based institutions to support interventions aimed at barring persons engaged in corrupt and unethical conduct from election or appointment into public office. “Let us work together to advocate for strengthening of the legal framework on implementation of Chapter 6.” He said. The Chairperson of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission, Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia in his remarks noted that there were emerging patterns and trends of electoral violence across the nation brought about by polarised political rhetoric. Dr. Kobia called upon Kenyans to adhere to the constitution and the word of God. “We also urge the youth to harness their full potential as peace builders in order to break the destructive narrative that young people are drivers of conflict.” He said.
Entrenching Ethics and Integrity in The Nursing Profession
26:10:2021: Meru County nurses have been urged to uphold integrity and stay true to their codes of professional practice. They should establish mechanisms to mainstream ethics and integrity to ensure the profession is not tainted by corruption, said Ms Sophia Lepuchirit, the Vice-Chairperson of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission. “Do not wrong humanity by causing deaths whenever calls for industrial action are made,” Commissioner Lepuchirit told the nurses, adding: “You must jealously and zealously safeguard the nursing profession from reputational damage occasioned by corruption and unethical conduct. “Do not use abusive language when attending to clients.” She spoke during a capacity-building workshop to mainstream professional ethics and enlist the support and partnership of professionals in the fight against corruption and unethical conduct. She issued a rallying cry to nurses to give their best and expressed concern at what she described as a show of “immense opulence” by some county officials while nurses were not well remunerated. Commissioner Lepuchirit applauded nurses for their sterling work as frontline health workers throughout the Covid-19 pandemic period while also noting their critical role as “drivers of Vision 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 3 whose objective is to ensure healthy lives and promotion of wellbeing at all ages”. She asked nurses to adhere to their codes of professional practice by actualizing and upholding the provisions of the Nurses Code of Ethics The Commission continues to engage professionals through their umbrella associations to enlist their support in the fight against corruption. The Vice-Chairperson noted that the Meru Nursing Council of Kenya Chapter was the first to be trained under professionals drawn from the Law Society of Keya, Kenya Institute of Supplies Management and the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council. She further noted that the sector was prone to the risks of corruption and highlighted allegations of abuse of office, bid rigging, bribery, conflict of interest, embezzlement, misappropriation of public funds, public procurement irregularities, fraud and unethical conduct as some of the malpractices bedeviling the sector. She reiterated the Commission’s commitment to collaborate and partner with the Nursing Council of Kenya to strengthen the integrity framework for increased efficiency in the nursing profession. Among the proposed areas of collaboration are advisories on ethics and integrity, review of systems and institutional codes of conduct, as well as the establishment of Corruption Prevention Committees and training of Integrity Assurance Officers. She concluded with a call to nurses to be agents of positive transformation in the healthcare system. Also present was the Regional Manager for Upper Eastern Regional Office, Mr George Ojowi, who said his office would be available for continued engagements aimed at mainstreaming good governance, ethics and integrity through law enforcement and preventive approaches. Mr George Taitumu, County Nursing Officer and representative of the Nursing Council of Kenya, thanked the Commission for supporting the council through the integrity capacity building. He promised to ensure the enforcement of the code of ethics for nurses. The Commission’s team of resource persons that facilitated this training comprised Ms. Anne Kiprotich, Senior Education Officer – Governance, Ms. Faith Mituki, Education Officer – Isiolo, and Miss. Ruth Kilimo, Legal Officer – Isiolo. The training ended with a clarion call to nurses to cascade the training across all the sub-counties for a corruption free healthcare system to be realized for the posterity of the county and the Kenyan nation at large. The workshop, held on 26th October at Meru National Polytechnic, was sponsored by the EACC.
WEALTH DECLARATION REPORT: AN ASSESSMENT ON COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW ON DECLARATION OF INCOME, ASSETS AND LIABILITIES BY PUBLIC OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR 2019
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is vested with the oversight mandate in the implementation of Part IV of the Public Officer Ethics Act, 2003 (POEA) on the Declaration of Income, Assets and Liabilities (DIALs), commonly referred to as “wealth declarations”. Subsequent to the 2019 biennial declarations, all Public Officers were required to submit their declarations to a designated Responsible Commission as provided under Section 3 of POEA. These Responsible Commissions were further required to submit reports on the declarations to EACC by 31st July 2020. The report envisages existence of a total of 118 Responsible Commissions; 24 in the National Government, 47 County Public Service Boards and 47 County Assembly Service Boards. A total of 116 Responsible Commissions, constituting 98% submitted their reports to EACC on the biennial wealth declarations. These were 23 Responsible Commissions in the National Government, 46 County Public Service Boards and 47 County Assembly Service Boards. Click on the link to read the detailed report: FINAL DIALs Report 2019
EACC Embarks on Corruption Risk Assessment of the Universal Health Coverage Programme
13:10:2021: The EACC in partnership with the Ministry of Health has embarked on a Corruption Risk Assessment of the Universal Health Coverage program. The assessment spearheaded by the Preventive Services Directorate was officially launched at Afya House on 13th October 2021 by Commissioner Mwaniki Gachoka. Speaking during the event, Commissioner Gachoka commended the Ministry of Health for partnering with EACC in rolling out the exercise. The Commissioner noted that EACC and the Ministry of Health will review established policies and procedures in order to detect corrupt practices and, at the same time, make recommendations on where and how to seal corruption loopholes. “The overall objective of this review is to make appropriate recommendations to the Ministry of Health and County Governments on ways and means of promoting transparency, accountability, and integrity through application of systems of work that offer no room for corrupt practices.” He said. While representing the Principal Secretary State Department for Health, Dr Susan Mochache, the Ministry of Health Director General, Dr. Patrick Amoth said that the Ministry will ensure the assessment is successful by providing all the support necessary. “UHC is identified as one of the big four agendas and it is a top priority for the Ministry of Health and for the entire country as well.” He said. Dr. Amoth observed that resources allocated to the health sector were substantial and that there were multiple risks that came along. “As such, there is need for anti-corruption prevention measures to safeguard our resources.” In her remarks, Ag. Director Preventive Services Directorate, Ms Emily Chege said that the review will take 28 days and, upon conclusion, the Commission will present findings and recommendations to the leadership of the health sector, Governors and other stakeholders for further action.
NHIF Chairman: Every Kenyan Should Have Access to Quality Healthcare without Suffering Financial Loss
17:09:2020: The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has invited the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to collaborate with it to conduct a Systems Review and Corruption Risk Assessment designed to identify corruption loopholes. Speaking when he officially opened a capacity building workshop for NHIF’s board of directors in Mombasa on Wednesday, EACC Chairman Archbishop Eliud Wabukala (rtd) said the Commission had received 610 complaints relating to the Fund. Of these, 181 fell within the Commission’s mandate while 21 cases had been completed. The workshop aims to enlighten the board on the legal and anti-corruption policy framework, emerging corruption trends in the public sector, corruption and unethical conduct in the health sector, among other issues. Chairman Wabukala urged the Fund to strengthen its capacity through stronger internal controls and process automation, noting that it “plays a critical role in the realisation of the universal health coverage which the government adopted as one of the big four priority agenda items by President Uhuru Kenyatta”. The universal health coverage aspiration is that by 2022, all persons in Kenya will be able to use the essential services they need for their health and wellbeing through a single unified benefit package, without the risk of financial catastrophe. NHIF Chairman Lewis Nguyai spoke of the Fund’s big calling to ensure that universal health coverage hits 100%. “Universal health coverage means that every single Kenyan should have access to quality health care without suffering financial loss,” he said. In 2018, the Kenya government piloted a universal health coverage programme in four of its 47 counties, easing access to health services for millions of people. It has since added more than 200 community health units, with 7700 community health volunteers and over 700 health workers have been recruited. The first year of the pilot phase saw over 1.6 million more hospital visits recorded. (World Health Organisation) The Fund’s CEO, Dr Peter Kamunyo, expressed the hope that recent NHIF Act amendments would help to achieve universal health coverage by 2022. “The spirit of universal health coverage is to leave no one behind,” he said. NHIF management was similarly trained earlier in the year. The Education and Public Awareness acting Deputy Director, Madam Lydia Manyasi, spoke of the need for a thorough introspection of the Kenyan value system and urged board members to be patriots, and to support the war on graft. Closing the workshop, NHIF Chairman Nguyai cautioned members against greed.
EACC Chairman: Embrace Love for the Country and be Agents of Peace
01:09:2021: The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) Chairman retired Archbishop Eliud Wabukala, who was the chief guest at the National Students Convention on Youth, Peace and Elections at the University of Nairobi, lamented the fact that the youth were often manipulated by political leaders to perpetuate and execute violence especially during elections. He called on the youth to be patriotic agents of peace as the country gears up for next year’s general election. He appealed to the youth to shun and admonish the corrupt because they had the potential of destroying opportunities for the future generations. “Glorification of unethical leaders; raising the profiles and defending unethical and corrupt leaders, has the net effect of passing wrong values to the future generation,” said the Chairman. The retired Archbishop, pointed out that there was a growing number of youth who do not believe in their leaders and the existing governance structures. “In my view, this is a time bomb,” he said: “As young leaders, I urge you to use your various platforms to advocate and educate the other youth on the value of governance and the positive contributions they can make in this sphere.” He further urged them to be the drivers of change owing to their critical mass and to use their numbers to elect persons of integrity into leadership positions. The Chairman of the Commission for University Education, Professor Chacha Nyaigotti, noted that if Chapter Six of the Kenya Constitution 2010 was well implemented, Kenya would be the best country in the world. He cited negative ethnicity as the country’s major challenge and exhorted the youth to spearhead the fight against it. University of Nairobi Vice-Chancellor, Professor Stephen Kiama, who was represented by the Dean of Students Mr. Johnson Kinyua called on the youth to embrace peaceful elections to avoid a repeat of the violence that took place after the 2007 general election. He asked them to register as voters, adding that the university would provide avenues for voter registration and education. The National Youth Council CEO, Mr. Roy Sasaka, observed that the youth had enough numbers to vote for their own and lead the transformation journey. The three-day convection organized by Universities and Colleges Students Peace Association of Kenya(UCSPAK), seeks to encourage the youth to participate in elections and amplify their voices for sustainable peace in the country.