EACC warns accountants against using professional expertise to facilitate corruption

EACC Chairperson Dr David Oginde said professionals were increasingly implicated in corrupt practices, challenging accountants to uphold integrity and ensure their work does not enable financial wrongdoing.

Speaking on Friday at the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) Annual Seminar in Mombasa, Oginde said integrity was a personal responsibility that should guide professionals in their daily conduct.

"Integrity is not enforceable – it is a personal choice," he said, expressing concern that the specialised knowledge of professionals could be exploited to conceal corrupt dealings, making investigations more complex.

"The wickedness that's done by professionals is professionally done. It's not an easy crime for the Commission to crack," he observed.

Oginde urged accountants to resist attempts to compromise their professional judgement, citing the need for auditors to stand by their findings and accountants to maintain accurate financial records.

"Integrity is reflected in the accountant who refuses to manipulate figures, the auditor who stands by uncomfortable findings and professionals who will not compromise independent judgement," he said.

The EACC chairperson also challenged Kenyans to examine how they respond to opportunities for personal gain, noting that people who condemn corruption may still abandon their convictions when offered a personal benefit.

He further warned that remaining silent when wrongdoing occurs allows corruption to continue.

"If we keep silent about wrongdoings, then evil will perpetuate," he cautioned.

Oginde called for greater moral courage among professionals and members of the public, saying the fight against corruption requires people willing to challenge wrongdoing regardless of those involved.

"Men and women who ultimately transform society have moral courage – they stand up against anyone who wants to do wrong," he said.

He also urged Kenyans to work towards building a country whose institutions and opportunities attract people from other parts of the world, rather than one its citizens seek to leave.

"If Americans built their country to the extent we want to go there, why can't we build Kenya so that the Americans, Singaporeans and other foreigners would want to come and live here?" he posed.

Meanwhile, ICPAK Chairperson CPA Prof. Elizabeth Kalunda reaffirmed the institute's commitment to supporting the fight against corruption, saying the professional body would not provide a hiding place for corrupt individuals.

Kalunda said ICPAK would strengthen its collaboration with the EACC in promoting integrity, accountability and good governance within the accounting profession.

She also pledged that the institute would present a report at the next summit detailing the progress made by its members in promoting integrity and combating corruption.

The ICPAK Annual Seminar was held in Mombasa from November 9 to 13, bringing together accounting professionals and other stakeholders to discuss issues affecting the profession.

The EACC said its engagement with professional bodies such as ICPAK was aimed at strengthening institutional collaboration and promoting ethical leadership.