EACC Partners with Nyandarua County to Fight Graft

Following an invitation from the County Government of Nyandarua, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has begun a Corruption Risk Assessment (CRA) of the Nyandarua County Executive and the Nyandarua County Assembly. The examination into the systems, policies, procedures and practices of the County Government is expected to take three weeks.

The CRA was launched on 6^th November 2018 at Lake Ol Bolosat Resort Park Lodge in Ol Joro Orok, Nyandarua County. The Governor, H.E. Francis Kimemia, EGH, CBS, was represented by the County Executive Committee Member for Finance and Economic Development, Hon. Mary Mugwanja who read a speech on his behalf. In the speech, the Governor said that he was glad that the Commission promptly responded to his request by organizing the Corruption Risk Assessment. The Governor further said that the County Executive was ready to collaborate with the Commission to wipe out corruption.

EACC Secretary / CEO, Mr. Halakhe Waqo, CBS, MCIArb had his keynote address delivered by the Commission’s Regional Manager for the South Rift Regional Office – Nakuru, Mr. Hassan Khalid. In his speech, Mr. Waqo stated that the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has a tripartite mandate of law enforcement, prevention and public education in the fight against corruption and therefore uses the three pronged approach to implement its mandate. He said that the approach is premised on the fact that while the full weight of the law must be brought to bear against those indicted for corrupt conduct, it is crucial anti-corruption efforts be focused on prevention which has been recognized all over the world as more sustainable and cost effective approach towards combating corrupting.

Further, the CEO said that systemic weaknesses, if not properly addressed, can negatively impact the functioning of an organization, leading to misuse and loss of public resources, abuse of office, non-compliance with statutory obligations and poor service delivery. He indicated that it is therefore in the interest of the County Government to counter the weaknesses by establishing efficient and effective operational systems as a way of minimizing opportunities for corrupt practices and unethical conduct.

 Mr. Waqo reiterated that Corruption Risk Assessments seek to enable public institutions to detect, combat and prevent corruption and unethical practices in the management of public affairs and urged all present to embrace the crucial assessment and fully support the Commission’s Prevention Officers as they undertake the exercise.

The Commission has carried out similar assessments in other Counties, including Kisumu, Kilifi, Kericho, Kisii, Nyeri, Busia, Taita-Taveta, Kajiado, Vihiga, Laikipia, Narok, Kwale, Tharaka-Nithi, Homa Bay, Nakuru, Embu and Kiambu. EACC has also undertaken Systems Reviews in National Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies including the Parliamentary Service Commission, National Youth Service, Kenya National Bureau of Standards and Ministry of Lands, among others.