The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) on Thursday appeared before the Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee of the National Assembly where it had been invited to defend its scorecard.
Led by the Commission’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer Abdi Mohamud, the EACC officials appraised the Committee of its milestones in the fight against corruption as well as the challenges that have impeded its efforts in taming the runaway graft in the country.
The Commission informed the Committee that it has prioritized recovery of corruptly acquired assets and forfeiture of unexplained wealth which it said has a high deterrent effect.
“Forfeiture of assets ensures a quick turn-around time due to the lower standard of proof compared to criminal matters,” the Deputy CEO said.
Mohamud said that in the last five years, the Commission has recovered assets including cash, moveable and immovable properties worth approximately Sh23.84 billion which have since been surrendered back for public benefit.
In the same period, the Commission reported having averted a potential loss of Sh34.5 billion through proactive investigations and disruption of corruption networks.
The Committee expressed concerns that despite the progress made by the Commission, especially in the recovery of stolen public assets, levels of corruption still remained high.
However, EACC said that its performance is remarkable considering the unfavourable environment in which it operates and the challenges that routinely affect its work.
Among the challenges cited by the Commission include slow judicial processes, politicization of anti-corruption efforts, public apathy, and gaps in the anti-graft legal frameworks.
For instance, the Deputy CEO noted, delays in finalizing the Whistleblower Protection Bill have adversely affected anti-corruption efforts.
Mohamud called for the enactment of whistleblower legislation to encourage exposure of graft scandals.
EACC also cited legal obstacles in the repatriation of public funds stashed in offshore bank accounts.
In response to accusations that some staff of the Commission allegedly collect bribes, Mohamud distanced the Commission from such allegations.
He explained that to the contrary, the Commission is currently dealing with a major challenge where fraudsters are impersonating EACC officers and extorting money from unsuspecting members of the public claiming to be carrying out investigations against them.
Mohamud cautioned Kenyans against falling prey to impersonators who have so far extorted money from many victims, including senior government officials.
“Any person who comes asking for a bribe claiming to be carrying out investigations is not an EACC officer and should be immediately reported to the Commission for arrest," Mohamud said.
