EACC sensitizes Nakuru County’s senior officers on governance
18:10:2024: Nakuru County Executive Committee members and Chief Officers are the latest beneficiaries of EACC’s integrity capacity building in county operations.
The week-long training, opened by EACC’s 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 county’s 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.
