The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has recovered assets, properties and cash amounting to over Ksh7.8 billion in the financial year 2016/2017.
During the period under review, EACC recovered public assets in form of cash amounting to over Ksh13 million, while the value of loss averted through disruption was Ksh6.2 billion. Other recoveries included value of assets preserved at more than Ksh1.3 billion, while land and immovable properties recovered have been valued at over Ks242 million.
EACC Secretary and Chief Executive Officer Halakhe Waqo said the commission completed 32 asset-tracing inquiries of public assets which include public land, government houses and cash that had been illegally acquired estimated at Ksh5 billion, noting that the recovery process is ongoing.
“We carried out 25 proactive covert investigations which resulted in averting possible loss of public funds at approximately Ksh6.2 billion,” said the CEO.
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According to the Commission’s Annual report for FY 2016/2017, the Commission received and analyzed a total of 8,044 reports out of which 3,818 received at the EACC Head office, 2,782 at regional offices while 1,444 at various Huduma centres.
According to Waqo, the number of reports had increased from 7,929 in FY 2015/2016 to 8,044 in 2016/2017, an increase of 1.5 percent. He said a survey conducted by the Commission has shown that the perceived levels of corruption in the country increased by 5.4 percent to 79.3 percent from the previous year.
“This is an indication that the proportion of people who paid bribes when seeking services from public offices increased to 46 percent up from 38 percent in 2015/2016.”
He attributed the increase to devolving of services to other levels. Mr Waqo said the Commission is concerned at the manner in which the society is tolerating corruption and unethical conduct in all the 47 counties, and urged Kenyans to participate fully in the fight against corruption as it was a collective responsibility.
The CEO, however, noted that there is need to develop clear mechanisms for enforcing systems review recommendations made to public institutions to seal corruption loopholes and strengthen systems of service delivery and operations
He cited staff shortage and exits of experienced staff, politicization of the leadership and integrity mandate as some challenges the commission was facing.
Others include lengthy legal process which slowed conclusion of investigations, cross-border corruption and economic crimes, absence of proper wealth declaration management and administrative procedures in responsible Commissions, among others.
