National Anti-Corruption Campaign Steering Committee wants lifestyle audit for State officers

Kenya: An anti-graft agency now wants life style audit for all State and public officers to help curb high-end corruption cases that continue to ravage the country.

The National Anti-Corruption Campaign Steering Committee (NACCSC) Friday rebuked the string of corruption scandals that have been making headlines for the last one month, noting that "corruption denies ordinary Kenyans access to basic services".

The body said the continued looting of public resources by senior government officials has tainted the image of the country globally.

"Kenya has in the recent weeks hit international headlines on account of corruption," said NACCSC Chairman Eliud Wabukala. He added: "Locally, there have been reports of cases of corruption, ranging from theft of public funds, cheating in National Examinations, public procurement of goods and services and tax evasion."

Archbishop Wabukala said the heightened corruption in President Uhuru Kenyatta's administration must be reversed since it is "not conducive for economic growth and reduction of poverty.

"We support the government's recent call for life style audits for Kenya Revenue Authority officials, and ask the same to be extended to all State and public officers," he said.

The cleric said wealth declaration exercise by public servants should be taken seriously, adding that responsible commissions should scrutinise and verify information provided with a view to taking appropriate action where anomalies are detected.

The agency also called on the government to support all the institutions mandated with fighting graft, so that they can decentralize their services to "grassroots where corruption is ravaging the public".

He said corruption is a crime with international concern, adding that all arms of government must unite in fighting the menace that has left the country bleeding.