The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has recovered Kes 28 billion in stolen public assets, including cash and immovable property, over the last five years.
The assets belong to various public institutions at the county and national levels.
Speaking when he presided over the handing over of the assets at State House, President William Ruto commended EACC for pursuing the forfeiture of unexplained wealth valued at Kes 59 billion through ongoing court proceedings against individuals whose assets and interests significantly exceed their known legitimate sources of income.
He noted that EACC intervened to prevent the loss of public funds estimated at Kes 41 billion by deploying various strategies to disrupt corruption networks.
The recovered properties include land parcels in Nairobi, Uasin Gishu, Bungoma, Kisii, Kisumu and Nakuru counties.
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The Head of State urged government agencies that have benefited from the recovery to establish robust mechanisms to prevent further illegal acquisition.
Similarly, he stated that the development of affordable housing in Nairobi’s Industrial Area, off Enterprise Road, is taking place on a 21.04 hectares (52 acres) piece of land recovered by EACC from private individuals who had grabbed it from the Meteorological Department.
“The recovery of such assets reaffirms Kenya’s commitment to upholding the Constitution and fulfilling its obligations as a member of the international community under the United Nations Convention Against Corruption,” he said.
Further, he stated that he will work closely with Parliament to strengthen legislation and regulatory measures to promote accountable leadership and integrity in governance.
Among the proposals he said he will make to Parliament is the amendment to the Evidence Act and the Criminal Procedure Code.
“These amendments will expedite the investigation and prosecution of corruption and economic crimes, ensuring that such cases are concluded within six months,” he said.
Moreover, he stated that the government will propose amendments to the Public Finance Management Act and the Public Procurement and Disposal Act to deploy digital infrastructure in public tendering to promote transparency and accountability.
