The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) says it received and processed 4,183 reports related to graft in the last one year.
This is a decline from the 5,252 reports recorded in the 2022/2023 reporting year, according to its latest report.
Out of the 4,183 reports received, 1,846 were relevant to the Commission’s mandate and were recommended for investigation, the report states.
This represented 44.1 per cent of the reports received, an increase of 1.4 percentage points from the previous reporting period.
The 1,846 reports recommended for investigation were classified as follows: 37 per cent related to bribery; 19 per cent to embezzlement of public funds; 13 per cent to unethical conduct; 10 per cent to fraudulent acquisition and disposal of public property; and 21 per cent to other offences.
During the reporting period, 838 cases were under investigation for corruption, economic crimes, bribery and unethical conduct.
“The report classifies high-impact cases based on the value, personality and public interest. In the enforcement of ethics and integrity, the Commission prioritised investigations into allegations of falsified certificates in MDAC,” it states.
The Commission filed applications and obtained 756 warrants for inspecting or searching bank and mobile phone money transfer accounts, premises, vessels and vehicles linked to persons or associates suspected of involvement in corruption, economic crimes or related offences.
“In the period under review, 175 case files, of which 64 were on corruption and economic crimes, 37 on bribery, and 74 on ethical violations, were submitted to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).”
The Commission had 213 criminal cases on corruption, economic crimes and unethical conduct pending before the court.
“During the year under review, 54 criminal cases on corruption, economic crimes and unethical conduct were finalised in court, resulting in 33 convictions, 15 acquittals and 6 withdrawals.”
EACC says it completed 229 investigation files on corruption, economic crimes and ethical violations during the same period.
It further states that it undertakes proactive measures to prevent possible loss of public resources. “During the reporting period, the Commission carried out 14 proactive investigations, which resulted in averting possible loss of public funds amounting to approximately Sh16.5 billion.”
During the review period, the Commission says it carried out 166 random and targeted integrity tests within public institutions.
These included the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Eldoret International Airport (Port Health Services), National Police Service (NPS), Ministry of Lands Registries, Mbagathi County Hospital, Kenyatta National Hospital, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), Directorate of Civil Registration Services (DCRS), the County Government of Kajiado and Nairobi City County Government, among others.
“The results of the tests were 152 failed, 4 passed and 10 inconclusive. For the officers who failed, the Commission recommended administrative action to the respective institutions, and cases with criminal thresholds were investigated and files sent to the DPP.”
The Commission instituted suits for preservation and recovery of illegally acquired and unexplained assets, while Petitions and Judicial Review applications were also filed against the Commission.
The EACC filed 20 applications and obtained orders for preservation of Sh85 million held in bank accounts and properties valued at Sh1.9 billion.
During the period under review, the Commission filed 79 recovery suits valued at approximately Sh4.8 billion, while 102 Petitions, Judicial Review Applications and Appeals were filed against the Commission.
The EACC report adds that it recovered illegally acquired and unexplained assets valued at approximately Sh3.4 billion and issued 134 advisories, 4 notices and 12 cautions to public entities and individuals during the reporting period.
