Summary:
- EACC pledges inquiry into Kenya’s debt surge, aiming to understand how it reached Ksh11.1 trillion. Collaboration stressed amid challenges.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has pledged to delve into the reasons behind Kenya’s escalating debt, which has now ballooned to Ksh11.1 trillion. During a recent gathering at Sawela Lodge in Naivasha, EACC officials engaged in discussions with members of the parliamentary Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC), emphasizing the necessity of scrutinizing past and present projects funded by this debt.
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Chairman Bishop David Oginde stressed the importance of collaborative efforts to effectively combat corruption, clarifying that the meeting wasn’t a follow-up to discussions held at the State House regarding corruption allegations.
JLAC Chair George Murugara affirmed the committee’s full support for investigating the utilization of borrowed state funds, expressing willingness to provide legislative and budgetary backing to EACC’s anti-corruption endeavors.
However, there were reservations about granting EACC prosecutorial powers, with Tharaka MP expressing concerns about potential conflicts of interest. EACC CEO Twalik Mbarak echoed these sentiments, cautioning against the misuse of prosecutorial authority for political purposes.
Mbarak also highlighted challenges such as inadequate budget allocations, staffing shortages in the judiciary, and weak leadership, which hinder the commission’s efforts.
Regarding the recent gas explosion in Embakasi, Mbarak clarified that EACC was not leading the investigation, deferring to other government agencies tasked with the inquiry.
EACC’s pledge underscores the pressing need for transparency and accountability in managing Kenya’s public finances, signaling a concerted effort to address systemic corruption and fiscal mismanagement.