Kenya:New body to ensure transparency for public officers

All public officers will now be scrutinised by a central body that will be checking their accountability and transparency in using public resources.

Accountability Kenya (AK) is a central body that brings together institutions tasked with overseeing use of public funds and will be solely pushing for good use of public finances and prosecution of those suspected to have embezzled taxpayer’s money.

The parliamentary Public Accounts Committee and its counterpart Public Investments Committee will head the body that also comprises members from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, Director of Public Prosecutions, Controller of Budget, the Auditor General, the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya and the Public Procurement Oversight Authority.

The chairmen of the County Assemblies’ account committees will also be represented in the new body.

Deputy President William Ruto launched the body Thursday promising that all public servants would be made to account for the money they are entrusted with.

“The formation of accountability Kenya is a well-thought endeavour that brings together bodies in charge of accountability to promote good governance and accountability in our country. No single body no matter how strong it is can promote accountability to the level desired by Kenyans,” said Mr Ruto when he launched the secretariat Thursday at Safari Park Hotel Nairobi.

He said the Jubilee government was willing to account for all the money it uses and also to respond to questions posed by constitutional offices like the controller of budget and the auditor general.

“We must be clear and thorough on how we proceed. Issues on accountability making sure that all of us are held account are not matters for debate or negotiate. We must clear as a nation that no one is too small or too big nobody is too weak or powerful and no Kenyan must resist accountability,” said the DP.

The National Assembly will host the body that will be run by a secretariat.

PAC chairman Ababu Namwamba, who will be the acting AK’s chairman before elections are held, said the lawmakers would continue to pursue good governance and good use of public resources.

“Accountability is a responsibility shared. Accountability Kenya is not just a network of MPs and county assemblies but has brought on board state agencies that play key roles in ensuring the government is accountable. We have come together with the ultimate goal of joining the dots and connecting the links in the accountability chain,” said Mr Namwamba.

WAGE BILL

The creation of the body follows a renewed fight against wastages of public money and also reduction of the high wage bill.

Accountability Kenya has a council of delegates comprising PAC and MCA representatives and representatives from the institutions forming the body.

It will also have an executive committee that will manage the affairs of AK. The secretariat will run the daily affairs of the institution.

“It is a formidable coalition to champion the institutionalisation of accountability and integrity in the country. It is a holy alliance against a very unholy phenomenon we are used to. It is a beginning of transparency and accountability in our country,” said EACC Chief Executive Officer Halakhe Waqo.