The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has partnered with the Baringo County government in the establishment of mechanisms which will help curb corruption.
Speaking to the press outside Governor Benjamin Cheboi’s office in Kabarnet town after engaging county officials from various departments on the formation of corruption prevention committees (CPC), EACC Commissioner John Ogallo stated that their mission is geared towards helping the county administration build capacity that is needed in order to seal the loss and pilferage of public resources.
Ogallo said the initiative under the good governance programme is a crucial mandate because it enhances transparency and accountability in county government operations and in turn avoids the enforcement aspect.
“Corruption prevention is central because it helps us avoid the enforcement aspect, which only becomes necessary when we decide to overlook the systems which have been put in place,” he said.
Ogallo, who led a delegation for a sensitisation meeting with the county executive, the county assembly and other public institutions, highlighted the need to engage with all entities in strengthening the system.
He noted that the committee will be chaired by the governor with his deputy, county executives and county secretary as members.
The commissioner, while handing over guidelines of the CPC implementation, said that he is optimistic that all the corruption loopholes in the region will be sealed with the extensive public education and awareness as well as attitude change.
Governor Cheboi in his remarks lauded the team for the engagement, which he said has also given them the opportunity to examine some of the challenges that the county was facing and look at how to address them for the good of the people they are serving.
He at the same time noted that the county is heading in the right direction despite EACC survey reports putting his administration top on the corruption list for three consecutive years.
Cheboi, while urging residents not to demonise his administration, said the annual reports are something that should be corrected by the EACC since most of them are coming from unqualified opinions, while others are based on historical injustices.
By Benson Kelio and Joshua Kibet
