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He pointed out that Kenya has 18 pieces of legislation addressing corruption, supported by several independent institutions.
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According to Koskei, there is a need for the conference to objectively analyze the current situation and identify gaps in the anti-corruption framework.
Image: PCS
Head of Public Service Felix Koskei has urged regional anti-graft bodies to develop long-lasting solutions to address the rampant corruption undermining democracy.
Speaking at a regional anti-corruption conference in Nairobi, Koskei lamented the persistence of corruption despite the existence of numerous laws, policies, and dedicated institutions aimed at combating it.
He pointed out that Kenya has 18 pieces of legislation addressing corruption, supported by several independent institutions.
According to Koskei, there is a need for the conference to objectively analyze the current situation and identify gaps in the anti-corruption framework.
"This conference must objectively interrogate this situation and identify where the gap lies," he stated.
The summit is being hosted by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC) and the Eastern Africa Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities (EAAACA).
Kenya serves as the Vice president of EAAACA.
It brings together anti-corruption authorities, Procurement Authorities, Financial Intelligence Units, Investigative Authorities and High-level Government representatives from 10 countries in the Eastern Africa region.
Koskei stated that the gravity of corruption in the country is evident from the recent reports by various prevention and oversight institutions such as EACC and Transparency International.
In its 2023 corruption perception survey, Kenya he said, was ranked 123 out of 180.
EACC on its part established that 57.3 percent of respondents perceive corruption as being high in the country.
The most prevalent forms of unethical practices witnessed as per the report were bribery at 44 percent, delay in service provision 16.2 percent and abuse of office 6.6 percent.
Koskei was, however, optimistic that with the president leading at the forefront in the war against the vice, the country would realise great strides.
He highlighted various interventions in place to deal with it which include the national proclamation on zero tolerance to corruption.
Other initiatives which he said are being implemented are revitalization of audit of public resources by adopting the zero fault audit regime, and institutionalizing corruption prevention committees in ministries as well as preparation of corruption prevention plans in line with their respective mandates.
The head of public service further stated that they have adopted a “whole of government approach” in order to reduce waste duplication and overlap of mandates and to provide seamless services to the citizens.
Participating countries will take stock of successes and challenges faced, and identify new priorities and initiatives in strengthening the fight against corruption.
It will also provide a platform for anti-corruption stakeholders to identify common priorities and exchange best practice and information in the fight against corruption.
The session will focus on four thematic areas which are asset recovery and financial investigations, whistle-blower protection, public procurement and integrity systems and private sector collective action against corruption.