EACC warns politicians against branding public projects with personal names, images

In an advisory issued by the Commission's Chief Executive Officer Abdi Mohamud, the anti-graft agency said it had noted an emerging trend where political leaders are increasingly associating government-funded projects with their personal identities.

According to EACC, reports indicated that some political leaders have consistently branded publicly funded projects and programmes with their names, images and symbols.

"While recognition of public service is important, branding of publicly funded projects and programmes with the identities of political office holders amounts to abuse of office, misuse of public resources and unethical conduct," the commission stated. 

The EACC noted that such conduct contravenes Articles 10, 73, 75 and 201(d) of the Constitution, as well as provisions of the Public Finance Management Act, 2012 and the Leadership and Integrity Act, 2012.

The commission further emphasised that the Constitution requires state and public officers to act in a manner that promotes public interest over personal or political gain. 

As part of the advisory, the EACC directed state and public officers to refrain from using public resources to promote personal, political or partisan interests.

The commission also instructed public entities to ensure that public projects and programmes do not bear the names, images, portraits or symbols of serving state or public officers, political leaders or political parties before, during or after implementation.

Where recognition is necessary, the anti-graft body said it should only reflect the responsible government entity and clearly indicate whether the project or programme is supported by the national or county government, without including personal identifiers or portraits.

"The relevant implementing public entities or agencies should ensure that where recognition is necessary, it must only reflect the responsible government entity," the advisory stated.

The EACC warned that it will closely monitor compliance with the directive and that officers found in violation could face administrative or legal sanctions.