NAIROBI, Kenya- The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has officially kicked off the search for its next Chief Executive Officer/Secretary, as current CEO Twalib Mbarak prepares to conclude his six-year term.
Mbarak, who assumed office on January 14, 2019, is set to retire in January 2025. Following constitutional requirements, the recruitment process begins three months before the current CEO’s exit.
The EACC has detailed the application process and outlined specific qualifications for prospective candidates.
Interested applicants must be Kenyan citizens with a postgraduate degree from a recognized Kenyan university. The position is open to professionals from diverse fields, including ethics and governance, law, public administration, leadership, and more.
Additionally, candidates must have a minimum of 10 years of management experience and meet the standards outlined in Chapter Six of the Constitution, which emphasizes leadership and integrity.
All applications must be submitted online via the EACC Form 1 available on their website before October 7, 2024, at 5 p.m. Applicants are required to provide their National Identity Card, CV, academic and professional certificates, and testimonials.
The EACC also stated that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and that these names will be published both in newspapers and on the Commission’s website.
As part of the vetting process, shortlisted candidates must obtain clearances from several institutions, including the EACC, Kenya Revenue Authority, Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Higher Education Loans Board, and the Credit Reference Bureau.
The names of the successful candidates will then be forwarded to the National Assembly for approval in line with Section 16(1) of the EACC Act, 2011, and Section 3 of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act No 33 of 2011.
Upon receiving approval, the newly appointed CEO will take an oath of office, as mandated by the First Schedule of the EACC Act, 2011.
The role of the EACC CEO is multifaceted. As the accounting officer of the Commission, the CEO is responsible for implementing the Commission’s decisions, managing daily administrative affairs, and supervising employees.
Key duties also include coordinating strategy development and implementation to ensure the Commission meets its mandate.
Moreover, the CEO is charged with overseeing prudent financial management in accordance with the Public Financial Management (PFM) Act, formulating guidelines and regulations that enforce anti-corruption legislation, and spearheading capacity development initiatives.
The new CEO will serve a six-year non-renewable term, a tenure that underscores the significance of the role in Kenya’s fight against corruption.
The search for a new EACC CEO marks a crucial transition in the Commission’s leadership.
The process is designed to ensure the selection of a candidate who not only meets stringent qualifications but also embodies the values of integrity and leadership as outlined in the Kenyan Constitution.
