EACC issues deadline for wealth declaration

Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission headquarter in Nairobi (PHOTO: File)

NAIROBI, KENYA: All public and State officers have been ordered to declare their income, assets and liabilities as per the law before end of the year.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission  (EACC) says it will be treated as criminal offence should such officers fail to comply with the law.

“Failure to submit the declarations is a criminal offence under section 32 of the Act which renders a non-compliant officer liable to, upon conviction, a fine not exceeding Sh1million or imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or both,” said Halakhe Waqo, EACC Chief Executive Officer.

He said the commission will monitor the declaration exercise and from time to time take such measures as may be necessary to enforce the law.

Under section 26(1) of the public officer ethics act,2003, each state or public officer is required to, once every two years, submit to their relevant responsible commission a declaration of income, assets and liabilities of him/herself, spouse(s) and dependent children under the age of 18 years.

In addition, section 27 requires all persons joining public service to make initial declarations within 30 days of becoming state or public officers and final declarations within 30 days of ceasing to hold state or public office.