Declare wealth before deadline, governors, their spouses told

EACC chairman Eliud Wabukala with Mombasa county board secretary Jeizan Faruk (left) and internal auditor Abdallah Swaleh (centre) during Capacity building workshop at Kenya School of Government in Mombasa. [Omondi Onyango, Standard]

All the 47 governors and their spouses have until end of the month to declare their income, assets and liabilities for a lifestyle audit, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has declared.

EACC Chairman, Eliud Wabukala, said senior officers employed by the county public service boards will also be subjected to the audit as the new measure to fight corruption.

Rtd Archbishop Wabukala said 2019 is a “declaration year” and all public officials will be required to submit their biennial declarations together with those of their spouses and children under the age of 18.

“This is therefore to urge you to ensure all public officials under your jurisdiction comply with this legal requirement,” said Wabukala.

Wabukala said that EACC will be seizing accumulated assets of county officials who do not declare within the stipulated period.

“Proper declaration on whatever assets the county officers have will give an opportunity to assess the kind of person they are. If you joined the offices with one acre of land and now you have 100 acres and several Mercedes Benzs, we are going to ask how you got them,” said Wabukala.

He was speaking during EACC two-day workshop on management of Declaration of Income, Assets and Liabilities (DIALs) for the newly-appointed members of County Public Service Boards (CPSBs) held at Kenya School of Government Mombasa.

Wabukala said corruption is an endemic practice against which efforts to minimise must be put by all because it has flourished as a result of erosion of our values and morals.

The chairman said that the County Governments are also required to ensure those who are joining public service and those exiting comply with the requirement for initial and final financial declarations.

Wabukala recommended the responsible boards which complied with the Commission’s request to submit returns on DIALs out of 47 County during the 2017 declaration year.

“19 Public Service Boards complied by submitting their returns within the specified timelines while 28 County Public Service Boards did not comply,” said Wabukala.

He said that in respect to the development of administrative procedures on DIALs County public boards have to date developed and gazetted their administrative procedures on DIALs within the specified timelines.

Counties that have complied include Kwale, Samburu, Kisumu, Lamu, Transnzoia, Machakos, Narok, Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, Mombasa, Vihiga, Nyandarua, West Pokot, Nakuru, Uasin Gishu, Kisii and Narok.

“We appeal to those who are yet to gazette these procedures to do so and submit a copy to the Commission on or before 29th November, 2019,” he continued.

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho who was the chief guest said that his government is ready to support the fight against corruption.

Joho who sent a representative said EACC should fast track investigation on high profile corruption cases and bring the culprits to justice to send a message that corruption has consequences.

“I urge EACC to continue undertaking various responsibilities professionally and diligently and fast-track graft cases under investigations. That is the only way to send a strong message that corruption has consequences,” said Joho.

Wabukala said the two-day workshop is part of a series of ongoing engagements between EACC and County Governments in the quest to promote of a culture of integrity and ethical conduct within the Public Service.

He said that the workshop specifically targets the County Public Service Board members from the 47 counties and is one among a series of four workshops being held.