EACC urges governors to implement audit committees proposals

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has urged governors who have established Audit Committees on corruption and governance issues to implement the resultant reform recommendations as contained in the Audit Committee Reports.

Speaking at an anti-corruption workshop in Nakuru on Wednesday, EACC head of corporate affairs and communication Eric Ngumbi said the establishment of such audit committees may amount to the waste of public funds if the resultant recommendations are not implemented.

Ngumbi said governors have the responsibility to protect public resources entrusted under their care and control.

"We appreciate governors who have established Audit Committees following the Advisory issued by EACC and identified various gaps that require reform action," Ngumbi said.

"However, this is not enough. Upon receipt of Reports from the Audit Committees, governors should proceed to put in place strong internal controls, prevent further corrupt conduct and refer matters that require intervention by EACC for appropriate law enforcement action."

He added that the commission will continue to investigate all suspects of corruption for possible prosecution and recovery of any corruptly acquired assets.

He spoke at Egerton University where EACC is conducting a one-week anti-corruption workshop for over 50 Integrity Assurance Officers drawn from 12 public institutions.

Some of the institutions represented include the Office of the Controller of Budget, the National Center of International Arbitration, the Engineers Board of Kenya, the Water Resources Authority, Kenya Reinsurance, Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation, and the National Irrigation Board.