EACC cautions lawyers, accountants against facilitating corruption

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has implored professionals in the country to cease from using their skills and competencies to abet corruption in the country.

EACC Director of Ethics and Leadership FCPA John Lolkoloi pointed out that most of the significant scandals involving theft of public funds were directly linked to professionals, especially Accountants and Lawyers.

Lolkoloi spoke in Mombasa on Thursday during the official launch of ICPAK’s Annual Governance & Ethics Conference where he instead advised the participants to use their professional expertise to “advance public good, as opposed to enabling actions that are inimical to the wellbeing of society.”

According to the commission, other careers involved in the planning and execution of corruption schemes are Engineers, Land Valuers, Surveyors, Bankers, IT Experts and Procurement Professionals among others.

“EACC urges all professional bodies in the country to infuse integrity and accountability in their self-regulatory mechanisms to enhance corruption intolerance among Kenyan professionals,” Lolkoloi said.

The director underscored the critical role of Accountants in the management of public funds urging them to desist from processing fraudulent payments and instead report suspicious transactions to Authorities.

“Do not be conduits for proceeds of corruption or assist in the perpetuation of corrupt schemes,” said the EACC Ethics Director.

In regard to the prevalence of fake academic certificates in the Public Service, Lolkoloi revealed that EACC has since directed all public institutions in Kenya to authenticate academic and professional certificates of persons being considered for employment.

EACC is currently probing over 2,000 public officers who are alleged to be in possession of fake academic certificates and will continue to file civil suits for recovery of all salaries and benefits earned on the basis of fake qualifications.