The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has faulted accountants, lawyers, and other professionals in the country for enabling cases of public fund theft in the country.
EACC Director of Ethics and Leadership FCPA John Lolkoloi revealed that all scandals involving theft of public funds in the country have occurred due to the direct involvement of professionals, especially accountants, and lawyers.
He was speaking during the launch of the Annual Governance and Ethics ICPAK Conference which is taking place in Mombasa from October 7 to October 11, 2024.
Instead of enabling public funds theft, Lolkoloi has challenged the participants to use their professional expertise to advance the public good.
“EACC urges all professional bodies in the country to infuse integrity and accountability in their self-regulatory mechanisms to enhance corruption intolerance among Kenyan professionals,” Director Lolkoloi stated.
In its investigations, EACC found that there is an increased contribution of engineers, land valuers, surveyors, bankers, IT experts, and procurement professionals to the planning and execution of corruption schemes and betrayal of public trust.
The investigators have challenged accountants in the management of public funds to cease processing fraudulent payments and instead report suspicious transactions to authorities.
“Do not be conduits for proceeds of corruption or assist in the perpetuation of corrupt schemes,” said the EACC Ethics Director.
The EACC director also pointed out the prevalence of fake academic certificates in the public service, directing all public institutions in Kenya to authenticate academic and professional certificates of persons being considered for employment.
According to EACC over 2,000 public officers are alleged to be in possession of fake academic certificates and remedial actions are at different stages in law enforcement agencies. The commission has confirmed that it continues to file civil suits for recovery of all salaries and benefits earned based on fake qualifications.
Currently, EACC is investigating 153 cases related to fake academic certificates. The commission identified six categories of academic fraud as the most prevalent in Kenya.
They include altering high school grades on KCSE certificates to gain entry into the University and impersonating people named on certificates, including the dead, to either apply for admission to learning institutions or seek employment.
Source: kENYANS.CO.KE