NAIROBI, Kenya — In a major boost to the fight against procurement-related corruption, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has been granted full access to the government’s electronic Government Procurement (eGP) system, enabling direct oversight of tender processes and spending.
The development was announced Friday during the 2025 Africa Anti-Corruption Day celebrations at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), where EACC Chief Executive Officer Abdi Mohamud hailed the move as a game-changer in curbing public sector fraud.
“Most of the corruption cases we handle stem from procurement. With access to the eGP system, we eliminate unnecessary human interactions and gain direct, timely access to data,” said Mohamud. “This enhances transparency and ensures real-time monitoring of contracts and spending.”
The digitised system, he added, reduces loopholes for manipulation and increases efficiency by allowing institutions like the EACC and Auditor-General to retrieve information without delays.
Mohamud urged Parliament to fast-track the Anti-Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which would grant EACC broader powers to verify wealth declarations and recover unexplained assets from public officials.
He also commended President William Ruto for returning the contentious Conflict of Interest (COI) Bill to Parliament for revisions, saying the changes could strengthen disclosure frameworks.
“We believe the revised Bill will simplify the declaration of income, assets and liabilities, helping expose conflict of interest and illicit enrichment,” he added.
EACC Chairperson Dr. David Oginde called on the public to take a more active role in exposing corruption, particularly through whistleblowing — a tool he said remains underused due to lack of trust in institutions.
“Whistleblowing ensures that corruption does not go undetected or unpunished. We must bridge the trust gap between citizens and oversight bodies,” said Oginde.
Former Attorney General Prof. Githu Muigai, who was the keynote speaker, underscored the human cost of graft, describing it as a violation of dignity and a barrier to justice and opportunity.
“Corruption is not just the theft of public funds; it is the theft of hope, the denial of dignity, and the erosion of citizenship,” said Muigai. “It tells people that a bribe matters more than merit or rights.”
Nominated Senator Crystal Asigi stressed the importance of ethical leadership and citizen action, likening bad governance to a sinking ship.
“In successful countries, the tone is set at the top. Leadership by example remains the most powerful anti-corruption tool,” said Asigi. “We must not sit back. Change comes when citizens push — as they did last year — for accountability.”
Africa Anti-Corruption Day is marked annually on July 11 to reaffirm the continent’s commitment to good governance, transparency, and the rule of law.
