EACC pushes for automated wealth declaration system to curb corruption

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is pushing for the automation of wealth declaration systems as part of efforts to strengthen the fight against corruption and conflict of interest in the public service.

EACC Chairperson Dr. David Oginde says digitising the Declaration of Income, Assets and Liabilities (DIALs) process would improve the management of wealth declarations while making it easier for authorities to monitor the financial interests of public officers.

Oginde said the proposed system should also allow for the secure sharing of information across public service digital platforms, strengthening oversight and helping prevent officers from using their positions to advance personal interests.

“The highest number of corruption cases that EACC deals with are as a result of conflict of interest. If we deal with this thing called conflict of interest, 90% of corruption cases will be gone forever," he said.

Dr. Oginde spoke in Naivasha, Nakuru County, where he officially opened a two-day capacity-building workshop for the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and members of the Public Service Commission (PSC).

The workshop is focused on developing mechanisms through which the PSC can automate the DIALs process, with the initiative seeking to make wealth declarations more efficient, secure and accessible.

PSC Chairperson Francis Meja said automation is necessary given the growing use of technology and Artificial Intelligence in public service.

“We are in the era of AI, and therefore wealth declaration form automation should be a simple issue. Once in a while, we get requests for retrieval of the DIALs forms. You can imagine the difficulty of going through over 300,000 forms just to pick one," Meja said.

Meja said the proposed system would provide an integrated and secure platform for managing wealth declarations while making the retrieval of records easier.

The move comes against the backdrop of the Conflict of Interest Act, 2025, which strengthened the framework governing conflicts of interest and financial disclosures in the public service.

The EACC and PSC are now seeking to leverage digital systems to improve compliance with wealth declaration requirements and strengthen preventive measures against corruption.