EACC seeking additional Ksh700M on budgetary allocation
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is seeking an additional Ksh700 million in budgetary allocation to support its operations.
Speaking during a joint forum between EACC and the National Assembly’s Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs in Naivasha, EACC CEO Twalib Mbarak said that the institutional capacity of EACC in terms of budgetary allocation and human resource needs to be urgently enhanced.
Mbarak said that the institution needs a budgetary allocation to promptly employ 600 experts as technical staff, including lawyers, forensic investigators, valuers, surveyors and accountants among others.
Mbarak said that the commission is underfunded despite the central role it plays in the protection of government revenue and handling the runaway corruption in the country.
"We are having a rough time when it comes to our budget. This is not just about the extra funds we are looking for but about the budget already allocated. There are severe cash flow challenges from the Treasury which are affecting our operations. The exchequer delays are hindering prompt enforcement actions and disruption of corruption matters," Mbarak stated.
The commission requires a total of Ksh36.7 billion for its strategic plan 2023-2028, with a projected deficit of Ksh15.6 billion.
In the current financial year, EACC has been allocated Ksh3.9 billion, with its projections indicating that they require Ksh4.4 billion, with a deficit of Ksh572 million.
In the 2024/25 financial year, the antigraft watchdog estimates an allocation of Ksh4.1 billion against a requirement of Ksh8 billion, with a shortage of Ksh3.7 billion.
EACC chair
Speaking in the same forum, EACC chairperson David Oginde asked MPs to amend Section 56 of the Anti-Corruption and Anti-Corruption Act, 2003 to allow the EACC to retain a percentage of what it recovers.
"We urge the National Assembly to amend the law to allow EACC retain part of the money it recovers from corrupt persons to address the current budgetary deficits that are adversely affecting the Commission’s capacity to deal with the emerging corruption cases in both national and county governments. Currently, the law requires all monies recovered to be channelled to the Consolidated Fund," Oginde stated.
EACC has also proposed to the National Assembly to set up an EACC Fund to give it budgetary autonomy and enhance its institutional independence.
The commission also wants laws amended to allow timeframes for hearing graft cases and create enforcement mechanisms for the integrity requirements under Chapter Six of the Constitution.
Mbarak has also called for the strengthening of oversight institutions including EACC, the Office of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, the Judiciary and the Office of the Attorney General.
According to Mbarak, due to a lack of resources, key government institutions are inept and ineffective in discharging their oversight mandate.
Mbarak says the goal can be achieved through increased budgetary allocations to oversight agencies for effective prevention, recovery of corruptly acquired assets, prosecution and forfeiture of unexplained wealth.
