The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has called upon various professionals in the country to desist from using their skills to commit illegal transactions.
The commission has urged accountants, lawyers, and other prominent professionals to refrain from using their competencies to facilitate the theft of public funds.
Addressing the annual Governance and Ethics Conference in Mombasa, EACC Director of Ethics and Leadership John Lolkoloi revealed that no significant scandal involving theft of public funds has ever occurred without the direct involvement of professionals, especially accountants and lawyers.
“EACC urges all professional bodies in the country to infuse integrity and accountability in their self-regulatory mechanisms to enhance corruption intolerance among Kenyan professionals,” Lolkoloi said.
Considering the role they play in the management of funds in various sectors, he urged accountants to desist from processing fraudulent payments and instead report suspicious transactions to relevant authorities.
EACC Lists Other Professionals Linked to Theft of Public Funds
EACC investigations also point to an increasing contribution of engineers, land valuers, surveyors, bankers, information technology (IT) experts, and procurement professionals to the planning and execution of corruption schemes.
“Do not be conduits for proceeds of corruption or assist in the perpetuation of corrupt schemes,” he elaborated.
Furthermore, Lolkoloi highlighted the prevalence of fake academic certificates in the Public Service sector, adding that the commission has put various measures in place to curb the challenge.
“The EACC has directed all public institutions in Kenya to authenticate academic and professional certificates of persons being considered for employment,” he added.
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Fake Academic Papers in Public Service
According to the commission, so far over 2000 public officers are alleged to possess fake academic certificates. However, remedial actions into the cases are at different stages of law enforcement.
Apart from prosecuting academic cheats, EACC will also continue to file civil suits for recovery of all salaries and benefits earned on the basis of fake qualifications.
Corruption and misuse of public funds in Kenya is a rampant problem that has shone the country in a bad light regionally and around the world.
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According to Transparency International, Kenya ranked 126 out of 180 countries in 2023 on the Corruption Perceptions Index, which is the leading global indicator of public sector corruption.
Despite the government setting up various authorities like the EACC and initiatives like increasing staffing levels in the court system, cases of corruption are rampant with billions of taxpayers’ money lost in various public institutions.
The Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o has in recent times revealed how different government entities lost billions through corruption. She revealed that some cases of public funds misappropriation are budgeted for, such as inflated salaries.
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