The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has called on Parliament to strengthen laws that will enhance its ability to combat corruption at the county level. Appearing before the Senate Public Accounts Committee, EACC CEO Abdi Ahmed Mohamud revealed that billions of shillings have been lost through graft in devolved units, stressing the urgent need for legal reforms.
Mohamud painted a grim picture of corruption in the counties, confirming that massive amounts of public funds have been misappropriated. He disclosed that as of June 10, 2024, the commission had recovered over Ksh 5 billion but warned that weak legal frameworks continue to hinder its fight against graft.
He urged lawmakers to enact laws that would grant EACC more authority to investigate and prosecute corruption cases effectively.During the session, Kitui Senator Enock Wambua sought clarity on the status of ongoing investigations, prompting EACC to reveal that 74 cases are currently active.
However, concerns were raised about the commission’s effectiveness, with Committee Chairperson Moses Kajwang and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna questioning its handling of 184 pending cases.The senators urged EACC to improve transparency and efficiency in its investigations to boost public confidence in the agency.
They emphasized the need for the commission to be more proactive in tackling corruption, especially in counties where mismanagement of public funds remains rampant.The Senate committee’s deliberations come at a time when corruption in devolved units has become a major concern, with watchdog bodies and civil society calling for stronger measures to curb the vice.
The proposed legal reforms could play a crucial role in enhancing EACC’s ability to hold corrupt officials accountable and recover stolen public funds.
