The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has started a series of engagements with public officers on corruption by educating them on ethical conduct.
In western Kenya, EACC officials from the region have lined up a series of engagements on corruption to help prevent unethical practices and promote integrity in the public service.
Speaking to heads of departments during a dialogue on fostering an integrity-driven public service held in Kakamega town, education officer with the EACC in the western region Peter Onyango said the Anti-corruption body was strengthening partnerships to promote ethics and integrity at institutional and other levels.
According to EACC, a lack of proper systems and procedures of work that promote transparency, accountability and a strong legal framework makes corruption easier.
Onyango urged public officers to measure the services they offer to the public against their service charters.
“Corruption flourishes when weak systems allow bad behaviour to go unchecked,” he said during the presentation.
He urged public officers to cultivate individual and collective commitment to the values, principles and requirements of the constitution, saying this will go a long way in preventing vice and unethical conduct within the ranks and processes of the public service.
Onyango said EACC has received a number of complaints against civil servants in key government departments and urged heads of departments to put in place proper mechanisms to prevent the vice.
Kakamega County Commissioner Meru Mwangi urged the public officers to uphold integrity at their workplaces in order to earn confidence from members of the public.
Mwangi told the heads of departments to carry out their duties in line with the law and maintain high ethical standards.
“Set your targets, work to achieve them, and follow the law and the laid-down procedures,” he said.
The CC said the dialogue will be held quarterly in order to keep public officers aware of what is expected of them in enhancing government service delivery.
By George Kaiga
