NAIROBI, Kenya – The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is lobbying for a legal amendment that would allow it to retain at least 50 percent of the assets it recovers from corruption cases, a move aimed at strengthening its financial capacity and expediting investigations.
EACC CEO Abdi Mohamud made the appeal to the Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC), arguing that allowing the agency to keep part of the recovered funds would enable it to hire more staff and enhance its operations.
The proposal, if approved, could inject an additional Sh2.5 billion annually into the commission’s budget, addressing a persistent funding shortfall.
The commission currently operates on a Sh4 billion budget, despite requesting Sh7 billion, leaving a Sh3 billion deficit that has hampered its ability to tackle corruption effectively.
Mohamud noted that last year alone, the agency recovered assets worth Sh5 billion, including Sh511.4 million in cash, yet all these proceeds were surrendered to the National Treasury.
Comparing the EACC to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), which retains a percentage of the revenue it collects, Mohamud questioned why the anti-graft agency was not granted similar financial autonomy.
With only 760 staff members, less than half the ideal 1,569, the EACC has been struggling with a backlog of corruption cases, some dating back to 2014.
Each of its 11 regional offices is operating with just four investigators and two legal officers, making it nearly impossible to keep up with the 184 corruption cases referred by Senate oversight committees.
The Senate watchdog committee has thrown its weight behind the proposal, recommending a legislative amendment to allow the EACC to retain part of its recoveries.
CPAC Chairperson Moses Kajwang’ emphasized that underfunding has left the commission working at only 60 percent capacity, limiting its ability to pursue high-profile corruption cases.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna also supported the proposal, calling it a critical step in improving the agency’s efficiency and motivation.
He warned that continued budget cuts would cripple the fight against corruption.
EACC Vice Chairperson Dr. Monica Wanjiru echoed these concerns, warning that without adequate funding, many corruption cases would remain unresolved, allowing perpetrators to escape justice.
If the Senate approves the amendment, the EACC could gain much-needed financial independence, potentially accelerating the war against graft in Kenya.
