NAIROBI, Kenya – Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) CEO Abdi A. Mohamud has emphasized the critical role of the media in promoting transparency and accountability, calling for stronger collaboration between journalists and anti-graft agencies.
Speaking at the EACC-Kenya Editors Guild Consultative Forum in Nairobi, Mohamud reiterated the Commission’s commitment to tracing and recovering stolen assets, noting that KES 28 billion worth of corruptly acquired assets had been restored to public use over the past five years.
“The rationale behind asset recovery is to ensure that the corrupt do not profit from their corrupt conduct. Its deterrent effect cannot be gainsaid,” Mohamud stated.
EACC’s Anti-Corruption Strategy and Asset Recovery Efforts
The EACC boss outlined six key interventions to strengthen the fight against corruption:
- Asset Recovery & Forfeiture: The Commission is currently pursuing over 400 cases aimed at recovering assets worth KES 50 billion.
- Monitoring Capital-Intensive Projects: To prevent corruption in large government projects, EACC will track budgets, detect irregularities, and conduct timely investigations.
- Integrity Testing at Service Points: With bribery cases rising, the Commission will expand undercover integrity tests at public service delivery points.
- Enforcing Chapter Six of the Constitution: EACC is pushing for the passage of the Conflict of Interest Bill, 2023, and the Anti-Corruption Laws Amendment Bill, 2025, to tighten ethical standards for public officers.
- Training and Capacity Building: The National Integrity Academy will be enhanced to provide specialized courses on ethics and corruption.
- Leveraging Technology in Investigations: The Commission plans to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics into anti-corruption efforts to improve efficiency.
Call for Media Support and Protection
The media’s role in fighting corruption was a key focus of the forum, with journalists advocating for greater access to information and protection from threats while reporting on corruption cases.
Nation Media Group Editor-in-Chief Joe Ageyo proposed the creation of a Media Sustainability Fund (MSF), financed partly through recovered corruption proceeds, to support investigative journalism.
“Part of the assets recovered by the EACC should be channeled toward the media, to support their work, especially those who specialize in crime and court reporting,” Ageyo stated.
Joe Ageyo, Editor in Chief, Nation Media Group : ” A strong independent media helps expose corruption loopholes and also helps sustain public trust.” #TuangamizeUfisadiTuijengeKenya @KenyaEditors
Zubeida Koome, President of the Kenya Editors Guild, underscored the need for public participation in the fight against corruption, warning that no single institution could eliminate graft alone.
Crime Journalists Association of Kenya (CJAK) Chair Joseph Muraya urged the EACC to provide better access to corruption-related information and ensure protection for journalists facing threats.
“We are the foot soldiers who interact with crime and corruption stories on a daily basis. We need access to information and protection from relevant authorities,” Muraya said.
Joseph Muraya, Chair, CJAK: ” Crime Reporters are foot soldiers in the fight against corruption. ” #TuangamizeUfisadiTuijengeKenya
EACC Report: Rising Bribery Cases in Kenya
EACC Chairperson Dr. David Oginde revealed alarming statistics from the 2023 National Ethics and Corruption Survey, which found that 57.3% of Kenyans identified corruption and bribery as major challenges.
The survey also highlighted a steep rise in bribe amounts, with the national average increasing from KES 5,890 in 2021 to KES 11,625 in 2023.
“These findings reinforce the urgency of strengthening anti-corruption measures and ensuring that stolen assets benefit the public,” Dr. Oginde stated.
Strengthening EACC-Media Collaboration
To foster ongoing cooperation, Mohamud announced the appointment of Stephen Karuga as the new Head of Corporate Affairs and Communications at EACC.
As the forum concluded, the EACC reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with journalists, promising regular engagements, training sessions, and collaborative efforts to sustain Kenya’s fight against corruption.
“The fight against corruption cannot be won by the EACC alone. It is a collective effort that requires the support of every sector of society,” Mohamud reiterated.
EACC CEO, Abdi Mohamud, “I invite you, the media, to work closely with us – for together, we can ensure that corruption does not rob our nation of a bright future. We are exploring opportunities to have regular and structured engagements with the media including trainings and
