EACC: County Assemblies to publish integrity codes or face disciplinary action

EACC directs County Assemblies to publish their integrity codes. (Photo: Courtesy)

County Assemblies across the Country are in breach of the constitution and could face tough disciplinary action for failing to publish their Integrity and leadership codes as required by the law.

The leadership and Integrity Act 2012 requires each public entity with state officers to formulate a specific leadership and Integrity code under Section 37 of the Act.

Section 37 of the Leadership and Integrity Act contains a Code of Practice that applies to Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) as well as other State Officers.

Today the Ethics And Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) Western and Nyanza  regional  manager, Benson Murei  told  counties that had not  published  their codes  in the Kenya  Gazette to move with speed  and do so or face the consequences  of  non-compliance, especially during this elections year.

Speaking at the Siaya County Assembly during the launch of the leadership and integrity regulations implementation workshop, Murei said Siaya was aiming the Counties that had not complied with the law.

The commission asked the assembly to take advantage of the ongoing three day workshop as an entry point to comply with the law.

"Although much has been done, much more remains to be done. We note that you are among the few county assemblies that are yet to publish their code. This means that none of the state officers in assembly has complied with the legal requirement to sign and commit to the code," revealed the regional manager.

The regional manager however praised the county assembly for the efforts made so far towards compliance requirement by submitting the returns on the status of declaration of income, assets and liabilities as required.