EACC warns state officers engaged in politics

Added: 2026-05-10

[00:00:00]Now, moving on, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission is raising concerns regarding the active participation of state and public officers in political campaigns ahead of the 2027 general election. The anti-graft body warns that engagement in politics by state officers could lead to a culture of lawlessness, impunity, and an uneven political playing field. While acknowledging that the Leadership and Integrity Act provides a limited exemptions for cabinet secretaries, the EACC has declared that other state officers, particularly principal secretaries, are strictly required to remain apolitical.

[00:00:45]State and public officers engaging in politicking have now caught the attention of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission. Uh the law is actually very clear on the responsibilities of public officials when it comes to engaging in politics.

[00:01:00]And we are called upon to be neutral.

[00:01:04]Then it gives the impression to the general public that only those people who are aligned to the particular government in in office can benefit from the services of government. EACC warning it is monitoring the conduct of state officers to ensure compliance with the constitution. Uh of course, as a commission that is empowered to implement and to enforce chapter 6, we will not hesitate to take action where necessary. Uh that they should desist because they are politicians whose day-to-day job is to um articulate the positions of their parties, uh their political positions on various items. Speaking at Karura Forest following the recovery of 17.5 acre piece of land worth 2.8 billion shillings that was initially grabbed by private individuals, EACC CEO Halakhe Wako and the chair Dr. David Oginde said the commission is also looking into the alleged attempt by private developers to grab parts of Ngong Forest. Uh that tells you that you may steal public asset today, but eventually it will be recovered.

[00:02:15]Many people who grab these kinds of property, they say they are it's for their children and children's children.

[00:02:21]Uh but indeed the children of this particular individual is not going to benefit uh from it. You recovered the first lot uh about 10 years ago, and now you're coming to recover for us the last one.

[00:02:35]And [clears throat] Karura will be safe.

[00:02:36]What the ACC are doing for recovering this land, it means a lot for us who are championing conservation. So within the 15 billion, we are working with all the stakeholders including yourselves and others.

[00:02:50]So today we have done 1,000 seedlings.

[00:02:53]Mahmoud further stated that aside from the arrest of 11 suspects and linked to the embezzlement of 85 million shillings uh from the Eldama Ravine National Government Constituency Development Fund Kitty, the commission is also looking into other CDF Kitties where MPs and board members are allegedly siphoning public coffers. Abdiaziz Hashim for Easy Friday.