New organization formed to help fight corruption in the devolved governments

By Antony Gitonga

Members of parliament and county assembly have formed a new organization to deal with cases of corruption in the new devolved governments.

The Accountability Kenya (AK) has incorporated other government institutions like the auditor general, EACC and members of the civil society.

This came as the elected leaders expressed their concern that corruption could be devolved into the new counties adding that there was need to urgently address the problem.

Speaking after launching the organization in a Naivasha hotel, the chairman parliamentary committee of public accounts Ababu Namwaba said that they were ready to tackle corruption.

Ababu said that the new body would help fight corruption and impunity in the devolved governments.

The Mp said that there were fears that corruption would also be devolved into the 47 counties adding that AK was ready to act.

“Parliament will now be working with MCAs and other agencies so that we have accountability in all the counties,” he said.

The legislator said that the new body would investigate and recommend for prosecution any arm of the government involved in corruption.

Ababu noted that Kenyans were keenly following the operations of counties to make sure that their funds were well utilized.

In their resolutions, the leaders said that a steering committee for the new organization would be in office in three months.

Reading the resolutions, Kiambu County PAC chairman Phillip Mubea Mwangi said that they were ready to work with national assembly in accountability and oversight.

Mwangi pointed to the procurement department as the one which had major challenges when it came to accountability.

“The Mps have promised to support us through Accountability Kenya in dealing with cases of corruption and impunity,” he said.

He called on the electorate to work with the organization adding that if cases of corruption at the national level were not addressed they could trickle to the counties.

While admitting that corruption was rife in the government, Mwangi noted that the core objective of AK was to instill discipline.

“We understand that there are various challenges ahead of us when it comes to fighting corruption but we are equal to the task,” he said.