Koskei talks tough on alleged graft at KWS, puts officers on notice

Head of Public Service Felix Koskei on Wednesday sounded a warning to Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers abetting corruption in their jurisdictions.

Koskei who was addressing staff after a familiarisation tour to the KWS headquarters at the Nairobi National Park said they are focused on weeding out greedy individuals that have continued to damage the nation’s image and public service standards.

This, he noted, will ensure prudent and economic use of public resources.

"Let us be satisfied with what we are getting and resist corruption at all. Let us not abuse the trust that we have been given by the people," he quipped.

The chief of staff said it was regrettable that the country has over the years continued to lose its treasured heritage as a result of corrupt officers.

Corruption within the KWS, he pointed out, is evidenced by the increasing poaching, snaring, wildlife trafficking, illegal wildlife trade, encroachment of wildlife habitats, forest and even wildlife poisoning.

According to Koskei, this is often facilitated by corrupt officers within or without KWS but within the public service.

He at the same time told those in procurement and finance departments to stick to the laid down procedures and avoid any attempts of undue bribery to influence the award of tenders.

Such acts, he noted, have led to projects stalling, poor quality infrastructure, collapsing bridges and buildings, degraded forests, stolen or misallocated funds and poor service delivery.

"We are firm on this, we have said we cannot accept to have an enterprise within an institution anymore," said Koskei.

He emphasised that the Kenya Kwanza administration is committed to ending corruption by ensuring the serviced other state agencies adhere to good governance practices.

Earlier on, Koskei laid a wreath at the Conservation Heroes' monument at the park and also held a meeting with the board members.

He was accompanied by Wildlife Principal Secretary Silvia Museiya, KWS Board of Trustees chairman Walter Koipaton and KWS Director General Erustus Kanga among other senior officials.

The plaque is engraved with names of fallen heroes who paid the ultimate price for the country in their lines of duty.

At the same time, he acknowledged that the KWS officers work in challenging environments to protect the country's heritage even as he gave an undertaking that it will soon be addressed.

Partner with KFS and Kenya Water Tower Agency to enhance conservation efforts in the country.

The tour by the chief of staff came ahead of the annual Conservation Heroes’ Day to be observed on December 16.

The day brings together the families of KWS staff who lost their lives in the course of duty.

It is also used to honour the ‘living heroes’ who have gone beyond their normal duties in terms of conservation.

Koskei also reminded the management of the government’s zero fault audit regime which he said has been caused by unreconciled revenues, unsupported expenditures and property and poor documentation.