EACC wants new leaders to declare their wealth within 30 days

Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) offices at the Integrity centre in Nairobi. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has directed all elected leaders to declare their wealth within their first 30 days in office.

In a letter dated September 2, EACC says that the leaders are required to declare their net worth in line with the Public Officer Ethics Act, 2003.

The leaders are expected to file the declaration forms indicating their income, assets and liabilities attached to them or their spouses and dependent children who are under the age of 18 years.

The forms should be filled out within their first 30 days in office and the information should be correct.

The leaders should also fill out the wealth declaration forms once every two years, and the submission done in December of every second year in office.

According to Section 28 of the Act, leaders are also expected to provide any clarifications to the commission that may arise from their declaration. This request from the commission may be in writing and should be made within six months after the declaration has been made.

The commission also requires all leaders exiting public service to also fill in the wealth declaration forms and submit them within 30 days after leaving office.

Section 31 of the Act states that any person who fails to submit the declaration form or clarification as required, will have committed an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding Sh1 million or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or to both.