The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has given newly elected and appointed public officers a period of 30 days to declare their wealth.
This is according to the Public Officer Ethics Act which makes it a mandatory requirement.
“EACC draws the attention of all persons joining public service to Sections 26 & 27 of the Public Officer Ethics Act on the mandatory requirement to declare their wealth within 30 days of assuming office,” says EACC.
The act allows EACC to store declarations, verify content, investigate breaches, take administrative sanctions, and develop and implement administrative procedures.
However, failure to declare or make a false declaration is a criminal offence.
“A person who fails to submit a declaration or clarification required, or makes a false declaration is guilty of an offence and is liable, on conviction,” reads Section 32 of the Public Officer Ethics Act.
Also, the person will be subjected to a fine not exceeding Sh1 million or up to 1-year imprisonment or both.
The declarations will help EACC nail down officers who have massively accumulated wealth.
The officers will be required to explain their sources of wealth or risk losing it to the State.
