Heads of Departments (HoDs) working with the national government in Vihiga County have been urged to lead the fight against graft in the County.
Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) Western Region Manager Mr. Ignatius Wekesa made the appeal when he addressed heads of various departments during a one day integrity training workshop at a hotel in Chavakali town on Wednesday
.
Wekesa said the government’s effort to eradicate graft from the civil service can be achieved if officers in charge of public resources strictly adhered to the constitution.
He emphasized the need for top government officers to acclimatize themselves with the constitution, in particular chapters six and ten which deal with leadership, integrity and ethics, for improved service delivery in the public service.
training session at a hotel in Chavakali town on Wednesday
“It is a fact wanton misuse of public resources, including human, financial and physical resources, by heads of government departments had greatly undermined the fight against corruption within the civil service,” observed Wekesa.
Wekesa cited lands, registration of persons and police as being among the most affected departments by the vice countrywide.
The EACC regional manager advised the county heads to regularly convene integrity training meetings with staff under them in order to assist the government instil ethical values in public servants.
“The Kisumu EACC regional office is ready to offer such kind of trainings when called upon,” Wekesa assured the officers.
According to Wekesa, rampant graft within the public sector was partly to blame for what he described as majority of Kenyans’ despaired attitude toward the same.
“Recent research findings reveal about 62 per cent of Kenyans watch corruption activities happening around them with most of them having accepted graft as part of the county’s way of life,” stated Wekesa.
He however reassured Kenyans about the anti-graft commission’s commitment towards the fight against corruption.
“The commission has strengthened its capacity and techniques to properly handle any forms of corruption allegations brought before
it,” he noted.
With over 600 graft cases of various magnitudes currently in court, Wekesa said EACC’s graft war had gained momentum.
“The present rapid convictions of high profile graft cases is a testimony of the commission’s renewed fight against the vice,” he added.
Area County Commissioner (CC) John Chelimo led the close to 50 heads drawn from various departments in the training.
The training was one of the build up activities ahead of the International Anti-Corruption Day which will be celebrated at Mbale Municipal grounds this Sunday.
By Maurice Aluda
