EACC to teachers: Continue serving with commitment for a values-driven society
05:12:2024: EACCâs Commissioner John Ogallo has acknowledged and commended the teachers’ key role in inculcating values among learners through education and urged them to continue serving with commitment as they hold the key to realizing a values-driven Kenyan society. Commissioner Ogallo was opening a three-day training workshop for the Integrity Club patrons drawn from 40 primary and secondary schools in Kilifi, Tana River, and Lamu Counties at Pwani University last week. The Commission is mandated to fight corruption through law enforcement, prevention, public education, and promotion of ethics and best practices. Through the Department of Education and Public Awareness, the Commission educates the public on ethics, integrity, good governance, and anti-corruption to enhance public involvement in the fight against corruption. It implements several activities, including school outreach, Integrity Club patrons training, sponsorship of the anti-corruption category in national music and drama festivals, development of relevant IEC materials and awareness programs for education sector stakeholders to inculcate values among the youth at all learning levels and enhance transparency and accountability in the management of learning institutions of learning. The training aimed is at equipping the patrons with knowledge, skills and attitudes on ethics, integrity, and anti-corruption to enable them to manage Integrity Clubs effectively in their respective schools. The participants, who came from 32 secondary schools, five primary schools, and three special schools for children with special needs, were trained on the concept of corruption and unethical conduct, the establishment and management of integrity clubs, promoting integrity through drama, music, and other approaches, and lessons learned from existing integrity clubs with Mr. Shongolo Galgalo, the Teachers Service Commission Deputy County Director for Kilifi presenting on the âRole of Teachers in the Promotion of Ethics and Integrity in Institutions of Learning.â The training culminated in developing a plan of action with specific activities to be implemented by the patrons towards establishing Integrity Clubs in respective schools. Integrity clubs have contributed towards reduced cases of indiscipline and school dropout, improved academic performance, and promoted a culture of honesty, hard work, responsibility, and enhanced leadership skills and talent development among members in institutions of learning.
EACC nominates Abdi Mohamud for new CEO
23:11:2024: Following a competitive recruitment process, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has nominated Mr Abdi Ahmed Mohamud, MBS for the position of Secretary/Chief Executive Officer. Mr Mohamud is the Commissionâs current Deputy Chief Executive Officer. He has previously held the position of Director, Investigations. The Commission invited applicants for the position of Secretary/Chief Executive Officer through advertisement published in its website and the print media on September 17, 2024 pursuant to Article 250 (12) of the Constitution of Kenya and Section 16 of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission Act No.22 of 2011. By close of the application deadline on October 7, 2024, the Commission received 172 applications out of which 14 candidates were shortlisted. The interviews for the shortlisted candidates were conducted from November 19 to 21, 2024. The nominee details will now be forwarded to the National Assembly for vetting and consideration in accordance with the law. Mohamud is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and a seasoned investigator with a wealth of experience spanning over 30 years in investigation of corruption and other forms of economic crimes. He started his law enforcement career in 1989 as a Cadet Inspector at the Kenya Police Service. He later joined the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC), now EACC, in 2005 as a Senior Officer in charge of Rapid Response Division and rose through the ranks to head the Directorate of Investigations. Mohamud has undergone expansive training over the years as a career detective in corruption and economic crimes both locally and internationally with various distinguished law enforcement agencies. As the Deputy Chief Executive Officer, he has been responsible for deputizing the Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of EACC in the discharge of his statutory, administrative and policy responsibilities in the daily operations and management of the Commission. He was charged, as the head of the Directorate of Investigations, with managing and coordinating investigations and he has been instrumental in investigation of several high profile cases in Kenya and beyond. Due to his outstanding contribution in the enforcement sector, he was honoured with the Head of State Commendation; Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (M.B.S.) in December 2016 for his eminent role in the fight against corruption. He holds a Master of Science Degree in Security and Risk Management from the University of Leicester, United Kingdom, Bachelor of Laws Degree from Mt. Kenya University and Professional Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law. Should Mr Mohamudâs vetting and consideration be successful in the National Assembly, he will succeed the current CEO, Mr. Twalib Mbarak whose six-year term ends in January.
EACC rallies stakeholders in validating CRA guidelines
07:11:2024: EACC in partnership with the UN Global Compact Network has held a stakeholderâs validation workshop on the guidelines for Corruption Risk Assessment (CRA) and mitigation for public and private entities. CRA is the process of detecting, examining and identifying and profiling corruption risks, loopholes and opportunities and putting in place mitigating measures. The guidelines, which will soon be published and launched for use by both public and private entities, provide a structured approach to identifying and addressing systemic weaknesses that may perpetuate corruption and unethical practices. Over 95 organizations were represented during the event including State Departments, the Judicial Service Commission, Auditor General, Commission on Administrative Justice, Public Service Commission, the Senate, the Council of Governors, Controller of Budget, County Assemblies Forum, the Commission on Revenue Allocation, and Director of Public Prosecution among others. EACCâs Chief Executive Officer, Mr Twalib Mbarak said the Commisiion seeks to empower public and private entities to conduct their own corruption risks assessments and be responsible for the review of their methods of work. He noted, in remarks made on his behalf today at the workshop at a Nairobi Hotel by the Commissionâs director of Preventive Services, Mr Vincent Okongâo (pictured above), that sustainable anti-bribery and anti-corruption initiatives will only succeed when leaderships are fully committed to institutionalize anti-corruption and ethical practices within their institutions. Ms Judy Njino, the Executive Director, UN Global Compact Network Kenya said the initiative aligns closely with the Tenth Principle of the UN Global Compact which calls on businesses to work against corruption in all forms including extortion and bribery. âBy adopting these guidelines, we will not only reinforce our dedication to ethical business practices but also strengthen Kenyaâs reputation as a transparent market, enhancing our appeal to both domestic and international investors,â she said. A collective commitment between the public and private sector is required in order to achieve the anti-corruption objectives. Due to its scale and complexity, no single country, Government, company or sector can achieve its anti-corruption goals by itself. An effective fight against corruption requires a multilateral and multi-stakeholders approach and therefore every stakeholder should be part of the solution.
Strengthening integrity in public sector records management
5:11:2024: EACC has trained over 30 records management officers across Kenya’s civil service and state corporations. The training, officially opened by EACCâs Head of Education and Public Awareness, Dr. Emily Mworia at the Dairy Training Institute (DTI) in Naivasha, underscored the critical role that records managers play in upholding transparency and accountability, and supporting anti-corruption efforts across Kenyaâs public sector. Dr. Mworia (pictured above) emphasised the vital role of records management in combating corruption, noting that well-maintained records are essential for transparency, accountability, and efficient public service. âRecords managers are essential guardians of integrity within their institutions,â she said, highlighting the sector-wide impact of proper records management, and its role in upholding ethical practices across government functions. She acknowledged government support in establishing Corruption Prevention Committees (CPCs) to institutionalize anti-corruption measures within both National and County Governments. Speaking at the training, the Commissionâs South Rift Regional Manager Mr Ignatious Wekesa emphasized the importance of accurate and accessible records for investigative processes. âAt EACC, our investigations heavily depend on accurate records. Poor record-keeping not only hampers operations but can jeopardize the legal process. Untampered, well-organized records are essential in supporting court cases and ensuring accountability,â he said, urging government institutions to implement standardized operating procedures for records management. The workshop covered the EACCâs mandate to investigate corruption, develop codes of ethics, and recover corruptly acquired assets, while also educating the public on the risks of unethical practices. Officers were trained in essential record management practices like classification, information retrieval, and preservation to bolster data integrity and accessibility within government operations. Additionally, they received guidance on implementing anti-corruption measures and integrating electronic records management to streamline processes. Statistics from recent EACC investigations show professionals often inadvertently facilitate corruption. Previous EACC initiatives with various professional bodies have, however, led to notable improvements in ethical conduct. To further support anti-corruption goals, the EACC encouraged attendees to collaborate on corruption risk assessments, update institutional codes of conduct, and implement internal integrity programs. Records Management Officers were urged to uphold high standards of ethics, avoid conflicts of interest, and serve the public impartially. The Commission reiterated its commitment to developing governance tools and policies to prevent corruption. The training is a pioneering step in EACCâs ongoing mission to combat corruption through robust records management. The Commission plans to extend similar training programs to records managers across all public institutions.
The noose tightens on public officers with fake academic papers
31:10:2024: As part of the ongoing crackdown on fake academic and professional certificates in the country, the EACC today arraigned the former Director for MSE Strategy, Planning, and Coordination at the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority before the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court. Before Hon. Harrison Barasa, Francis Njiru Mfundi was charged with fraudulent acquisition of public property, forgery, and uttering a false document. The Court heard that Mr. Mfundi used a forged Bachelor of Arts (Economics) Degree Certificate from the University of Nairobi and a Strategic Leadership and Development Programme Certificate from the Kenya School of Government to secure employment at the Micro and Small Enterprises (MSE) Authority. EACC seeks to, in charge 1, recover Kes1,138, 348 that Mr. Mfundi received in salaries that he received from the MSE Authority. Three other suspects, including former Assistant Elections Officer at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Edna Bitange Kemunto, and former staff of the Commission on Revenue Allocation Mark Sandui Chebitwey and Brenda Nelly Sulungai, Community Development assistant at Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company, were also arraigned alongside Mr. Mfundi on similar charges. Mrs. Kemunto, the Court was told, used a forged Degree certificate in Bachelor of Business Information and Management from Egerton University to seek promotion from grade 8 to grade 7. Mr. Chebitwey forged a Kenya Certificate of Secondary Examination (KCSE) to secure employment, while Mrs. Sulungai submitted a forged Diploma Certificate in Community Development and Social Work to her employer, purporting it to be a genuine certificate issued by Zetech University They pleaded not guilty to the various charges preferred against them and were released on different bond terms. Mr Mfundi was released on a cash bail of Kes500,000 or a bond of Kes1 million with a surety of a similar amount. Mr. Sandui was released on a cash bail of Kes200,000 or a bond of Kes800,000 with a surety of a similar amount. Brenda Sulungai and Edna Bitange were released on a cash bail of Kes100,000 or a bond of kes500,000 with sureties of similar amounts each. Their cases will be mentioned on November 14, 2024.
EACC partners with IHRM to foster ethics, transparency and accountability in workplaces
30:10:2024: EACC, through its National Integrity Academy (NIAca), in collaboration with the Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM) Board, has launched the Ethics in Human Resource Management Curriculum. The launch occurred during the 28th Annual National HRM Conference in Naivasha, titled âHR Visionaries: Transforming Workplaces, empowering Africa.â Speaking during the launch, EACCâs Commissioner Col. (Rtd) Alfred Mshimba said that it is clear that Human Resources hold the key to workplace transformation across Africa. However, Commissioner Mshimba added, âThere are some threats to the attainment of the vision, which may hinder the achievement of the desired objectives envisioned.â One such obstacle, he noted, is corruption, adding that âThe Human Resource Practices is not spared of this vice which if not checked can be entrenched and institutionalized in all the procedures, systems and policies of an organization. Corruption is, therefore, the greatest threat to transforming workplacesâ. The Conference brings together HR Professionals from both the Public and Private sectors to share experiences and strengthen membersâ professional development. Mr. Amos Gathecha, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Public Service and Chief Guest at the launch, noted that transforming the workplace calls for a review of existing HR practices, embracing effective leadership, and assessment of organization delivery infrastructure. He urged HR Professionals to embrace creativity, transparency, accountability, and good governance practices through individual and collective efforts to transform the workplace for better economic development. EACCâs Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Abdi Muhamud Ahmed, said that the curriculum is designed not only to build capacity but to transform the very essence of Human Resource practices by embedding ethics as a core component within this crucial function. Human Resources is pivotal in any organization, without which workplaces would lack structure, support, and a sense of direction. In essence, HR is the backbone of an organization, working to align employee goals with the organizationâs vision. EACC, being a key partner of the IHRM, will work together to inculcate a culture change with a view to transforming state and non-state institutions. The five-day event brought together over 900 HR practitioners from different parts of the country.
Court grants EACC orders to seize former Machakos County CEC memberâs unexplained assets
31:10:2024: The High Court has allowed EACC to seize unexplained assets worth Kes91,202,892 from former Machakos County Executive Committee (CEC) Member Urbanus Wambua Musyoka. This comes after the Court found that the assets were acquired through corruption when the official served in the County Government between January 2014 and July 2021. The said assets consist of a residential building on L.R No. Kibauni/Kamuthwa/168, valued at Kes80,251,815 and Kes10,951,077 in cash, transacted through Musyokaâs Co-operative Bank Account No. 01116005777600 and Equity Bank Account No. 0670191770235. The judgement, delivered by Justice P.J. Otieno on Monday, ended one of two recovery suits in which EACC is pursuing Musyoka’s unexplained wealth and proceeds of corruption, cumulatively valued at over Kes540 million. The second recovery suit, valued at over Kes450 million, is ongoing before the High Court. EACC moved to Court after Musyoka, who served as the CEC member for Agriculture, Food Security, and Cooperative Development as well as Chairperson of the defunct County Tender Committee, failed to satisfactorily explain the disproportion between the listed assets and his known legitimate source of income. Investigations established that between January 2014 and July 2021, Mr Musyoka benefited from fraudulent tenders awarded to companies owned by his wife, Fiona Muthoki Mutisya, brother Antony Mbindyo Musyoka, and close associates, which received a total of Kes457,047,214.80, being proceeds of crime. The companies include Wafih International Limited, Wisdom Holdings Limited, Kikoto General Merchants, and Wemmar Enterprises. It was also established that he was the beneficial owner of the money the Machakos County Government paid to the companies as he operated the bank accounts as a sole signatory. It was also discovered that the four companies did not pay taxes to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), and as such, they owed KRA a total sum of Kes181,722,145 as unpaid taxes. Musyoka and his co-accused were arrested in November 2023 and arraigned before the Machakos Anti-Corruption Court. They denied charges of conflict of interest, unlawful acquisition of public property, wilful failure to comply with procurement laws, fraudulent procurement practices, and uttering false documents.
Oswago and Shollei flouted regulations in procurement of voter registration kits, High Court says as it upholds their convictions
30:10:2024: The High Court has upheld the Convictions of former IEBC CEO James Oswago and his deputy, Wilson Shollei in the infamous Chickengate scandal. The Anti-Corruption Courtâs Chief Magistrate, Felix Kombo, sitting in Nairobi in December 2022, convicted the two to four years in prison each or a fine of Kes7.5 each in the alternative for corruption related to the procurement of Kes1.3 billion voter identification devices for the 2013 General Election. The two were charged alongside two others with four counts of willful failure to comply with procurement regulations and abuse of office law. Mr. Oswago and Shollei were convicted on counts 1 and 3, to which they filed the appeal. The other two accused persons were acquitted for lack of evidence. On count 1, the two senior officials of the IEBC were accused of not revealing to the tender committee the changes that had been made to the tender specifications. In count two, they were charged with failing to reveal that the goods procured were of old technical standards. In sustaining the convictions, Hon. Justice Prof. Nixon Sifuna of the High Courtâs Anti-Corruption Division said that one of the critical issues of the 2013 General Election was the malfunctioning of the voter identification kits for which many petitions were filed after the elections. James Oswago and Wilson Shollei, the judge said, as CEO and Deputy CEO of the IEBC, were the accounting officers of the Commission, adding that failure to adhere to procurement rules was no lesser an offence. The judge said the prosecution’s totality of evidence demonstrated that the procurement of voter registration kits flouted regulations and wasnât transparent and accountable, adding that the appellants were responsible for the non-compliance. Justice Sifuna upheld the conviction after finding that the prosecution discharged its burden of proof in the trial Court beyond a reasonable doubt. He also refused to temper with the sentences.
EACC sensitizes Nakuru Countyâs senior officers on governance
18:10:2024: Nakuru County Executive Committee members and Chief Officers are the latest beneficiaries of EACCâs integrity capacity building in county operations. The week-long training, opened by EACCâs Commissioner John Ogalo on Tuesday at Chester Hotel, Nakuru, focused on building the capacity of county officials to strengthen governance and prevent corruption in county operations. Commissioner Ogalo lauded Nakuru County for partnering with the Commission in the fight against corruption and noted that the training is essential for empowering the countyâs Apex Corruption Prevention Committee and departmental committees responsible for tackling corruption. EACC outlined its role in preventing corruption, highlighting achievements in recent years, including recovering assets worth Kes23.74 billion, pursuing Kes40.78 billion in corruptly acquired assets, and completing 655 investigations into corruption-related cases. The commission has also disrupted potential losses amounting to Kes36.5. The EACC also shared findings from its 2023 National Ethics and Corruption Survey, which revealed that 57.3% of Kenyans perceive corruption levels as high, citing bribery, delays in service provision, and abuse of office as the most prevalent unethical practices. In Nakuru, the survey indicated a bribe prevalence rate of 89%, with an average bribe amount of Kes4,395. The Nakuru County Commissioner, Mr Loyford Kibaara, while addressing his heads of department who also profited from the anti-corruption training warned that graft will be dealt with expeditiously in the County. He lauded EACC for its immense support in the recovery of stolen public assets, including government houses and land, and, at the same time, urged the officers to become integrity ambassadors. The training is part of a larger initiative by the EACC to work with county governments to identify corruption risks and implement preventive measures. Nakuru joins other counties, such as Kisumu, Bungoma, and Vihiga, that have recently benefited from similar programs. The EACC emphasized that sustained collaboration between counties and the Commission fosters transparency and accountability. The EACC urged county leaders to be vigilant in preventing corruption, promoting ethical standards, and creating an environment where public resources are managed transparently for the socio-economic growth of Nakuru County. EACC regional head Mr. Ignatius Wekesa, who closed the training, said it is public officers who facilitate the grabbing of public land through records tampering. Similar engagements by the EACC are planned within the financial year across many counties.
Four senior officials of Taita Taveta County Government plead not guilty to corruption charges
23:10:2024: A senior official of the County Government of Taita Taveta and three of his former colleagues that were arrested by the EACC on Tuesday October 22, 2024, have pleaded not guilty to various corruption related charges at a Mombasa Court. Before Chief Magistrate Hon. Alex Ithuku today, October 23, 2024, Thomas Jumwa Nyambu, the Economic Advisor to the Governor; Liverson Julius Mghendi, former County Secretary; Christine Mawodo Mwakera, fomer County Chief Officer of Trade, Tourism and Cooperatives Development; and Leonard Langat, former Acting Chief Officer Finance were charged with 10 counts. The charges included conspiracy to commit an offence of corruption, engaging in a project without prior planning, unlawful acquisition of public property, six counts of uttering false documents, and willful failure to comply with the applicable procedures and guidelines relating to incurring expenditures. The Court heard that the four had on diverse dates in November, 2022 jointly conspired to engage in a project without prior planning and unlawfully facilitated direct procurement and payment of services for the World War I commemoration event that had not been budgeted for in the 2022/2023FY and unlawfully acquired Kes1,018,000 as purported payments for services rendered for the event. They were also accused of knowingly and fraudulently uttering false cash sale receipts for amounts totaling Kes1,292,000 purportedly for services rendered during the event. The first accused person in particular, is also charged in count 10 with willful failure to comply with the applicable procedures and guidelines relating to incurring expenditures. The Court was told that the economic advisor to the Governor failed to fully account for imprest of Kes2.1 million for the event. They all pleaded not guilty to the charges and CM Hon. Ithuku released the first accused on a bond of Kes2 million with a surety of a similar amount or a cash bail of Kes500,000 and the other three on a bond of Kes1 million with a surety of a similar a mount or a cash bail of Kes200,000 each. The case will be mentioned on November 7, 2024 for further directions.