EACC directs all public officers to declare wealth before end of year

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has issued a directive to all state and public officers to declare their income, assets and liabilities before December 31, 2017.

In a notice published in the local dailies, EACC CEO Halakhe Waqo says that all state officers both elected and appointed will be required to make declarations before and after exiting office.

“The commission hereby notifies all state officers that 2017 is a declaration year and all state and public officers are expected to submit their declarations before December 31 2017.The statement date for the declarations shall be made on November 1 2017,” read the notice.

The anti graft body boss has further warned that failure to this, officers in these categories will be handed at least a one million shilling fine or face one year imprisonment.

EACC will monitor the declaration, which according to Waqo, will be made after every two years.

Section 26 (1) of the Public Officer Ethics Act 2003, requires all state or public office to once every two years submit to the EACC  a declaration of income, assets and himself and liabilities of/him/herself, spouse and dependent children under the age of 18 years.

The Public Officer Ethics Act also requires all persons joining public service to make their initial declarations within 30 days of becoming state or public officers and final declarations within 30 days of ceasing to hold state or public office.