The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has raised serious concerns about a troubling trend where public officials use their family members as intermediaries to steal public funds.
This practice not only weakens efforts to fight corruption but also damages the moral fabric of families and society.
Speaking at the launch of the EACC Annual Report for the 2023/2024 financial year, David Oginde, the EACC Chairperson, strongly criticized this behavior.
He stressed that families should be a source of moral strength and integrity, not a tool for corrupt activities.
Oginde urged parents to take the lead in teaching ethical values and resisting any involvement in corruption.
The EACC has made progress in its fight against corruption. During the past year, the Commission completed numerous investigations into corruption and economic crimes, leading to recommendations for prosecution.
Additionally, the EACC recovered Ksh. 2.9 billion in assets, some of which were linked to corrupt practices.
The Commission also filed 47 new civil cases to recover assets worth Ksh. 9.2 billion.
Through proactive measures, the EACC disrupted corruption networks, preventing the loss of approximately Ksh. 2.9 billion in public funds.
The Commission also focused on ensuring compliance with Chapter Six of the Constitution, which deals with leadership and integrity.
It issued advisories and cautions to individuals and public entities to promote accountability.
Despite these achievements, the EACC faces challenges. The Commission is currently handling over 400 cases involving assets worth about Ksh. 49.5 billion, which are suspected to have been acquired through corrupt means.
EACC CEO Abdi Mohamud highlighted some of the obstacles, including weak legal frameworks and a lack of commitment to accountability in some government institutions.
To address these issues, Oginde called on Parliament to support the Anti-Corruption (Amendment) Bill 2025, which aims to strengthen the legal framework for fighting corruption.
Oginde also emphasized the importance of public participation in the fight against corruption. He urged citizens to reject corruption and report any suspicious activities to the EACC.
He praised the media for its role in exposing corrupt practices and called on professionals, such as architects and accountants, to avoid using their skills to enable corruption.
Oginde urged professional bodies to enforce their codes of conduct strictly. Religious organizations were also asked to take a stand against corruption by refusing donations obtained through dishonest means.
He encouraged religious leaders to speak out against corruption and to continue their role as moral guides in society.
The EACC also expressed concern about the use of offensive language by public leaders on social media and in public spaces.
The Commission warned that such behavior has a negative impact on the younger generation and undermines efforts to promote ethical leadership.
Oginde reiterated that the fight against corruption is a collective responsibility. He called on everyone, from individuals to institutions, to play their part in promoting good governance and accountability.
The EACC’s efforts to combat corruption are commendable, but much work remains to be done.
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