The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has called on professionals across Kenya to stop using their skills to facilitate corruption. EACC Director of Ethics and Leadership, FCPA John Lolkoloi, noted that many major corruption scandals involving the theft of public funds have been linked to professionals, particularly accountants and lawyers.
Speaking in Mombasa on Thursday during the launch of ICPAK’s Annual Governance & Ethics Conference, Lolkoloi urged professionals to use their expertise to promote public good rather than support actions that harm society. The EACC highlighted that other careers, such as engineers, land valuers, surveyors, bankers, IT experts, and procurement officers, are also involved in corruption schemes.
"EACC encourages all professional bodies in the country to integrate integrity and accountability into their self-regulatory frameworks to foster corruption intolerance among Kenyan professionals," Lolkoloi said.
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He emphasized the important role accountants play in managing public funds and urged them to avoid processing fraudulent payments, instead reporting suspicious transactions to authorities. "Do not be conduits for corrupt proceeds or assist in the execution of corrupt schemes," Lolkoloi warned.
Addressing the issue of fake academic certificates in the public service, Lolkoloi revealed that the EACC has directed all public institutions in Kenya to verify the academic and professional certificates of individuals being considered for employment. The commission is currently investigating over 2,000 public officers suspected of holding fake certificates and is pursuing civil suits to recover the salaries and benefits earned through false qualifications.
