• To enhance cooperation, collaboration and coordination in the fight against corruption and unethical practices will cost Sh313.8 million.
• The anti-graft body has computed a total of Sh31,728.2 million for the improvement of organisational efficiency and effectiveness.
Image: LEAH MUKANGAI
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission wants Sh36.7 billion to implement its five-year plan.
According to the 2023- 2028 document launched on Tuesday, the amount has been distributed in different key result areas totalling Sh36,687.6 billion.
"Operational budget is not included in the computation. The plan will require a total of Sh36.7 billion for the five years," EACC said.
To effectively deter and punish corruption and unethical practices in the country, EACC needs Sh1,163.8 million in the next five years.
A total of Sh243 million will be used in the promotion of ethics and integrity while Sh626.8 million will be used to improve institutional accountability in public and private sectors.
The anti-graft commission will further need Sh2,612 million to implement its strategic objective of increasing public involvement in the fight against corruption and unethical practices.
To enhance cooperation, collaboration and coordination in the fight against corruption and unethical practices, EACC says it will cost Sh313.8 million.
The anti-graft body has computed a total of Sh31,728.2 million for the improvement of organisational efficiency and effectiveness.
Speaking during the launch at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), EACC Chairperson David Oginde revealed the obstacles the Commission has faced in the fight against corruption.
"It is unfortunate but there are some obstacles that stand against us in our fight against corruption. One is the politicisation of the war against corruption, " he said.
Oginde said they were having challenges from political parties accusing them of targeting them, especially when one of their party members was implicated in alleged graft.
The chairperson urged political parties to allow EACC to do their job, and the suspect to answer for the allegations before them.
"Let us not politicise the war against corruption. We will not succeed. Zero tolerance means that we will not entertain corrupt people in our tribes, parties and any sector of our society," Oginde said.
Another obstacle, EACC said, is the lack of understanding of the impact of corruption by citizens.
Oginde urged the media to help create awareness of the same.
"It needs to be brought to light, especially by our media. Just educate people on the connection between corruption and the challenges we face as a country," he said.
Other obstacles were listed as adverse political influence, depressed economic environment, rapid technological changes, change in government and high regulation in certain sectors and over-taxation.
EACC also said the public lacked apathy in the fight against corruption, which, alongside the entrenched culture of corruption is an obstacle in EACC's pace to execute its mandate.
On his part, CEO Twalib Mbarak emphasised that the political culture of Kenya must change and ease out the corruption culture of the country.
Mbarak said in order to ensure the effectiveness of the new strategies, Kenya's unique social, economic, political and cultural environment was taken into account when developing the strategic plan.