EACC CEO Twalib Mbarak has warned national government Ministries, Departments and Agencies ((MDAs), and county governments against breaching the procurement law in preparation for El Nino.
He advised them to comply with the aforementioned law in the procurements and expenditures undertaken in mitigation measures and preparation for the anticipated rains.
In a statement dated September 29, Mbarak said the Commission had received reports that there is a disregard of the law in the initiation and implementation of some mitigation measures.
He noted that this disregard might lead to embezzlement of public funds and financial impropriety.
“Accounting officers will be held personally liable for any loss, unauthorized expenditure, or misuse of public funds,” he warned.
Mbarak pointed out that the Commission is empowered under Section 11 of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Act of 2011, to advise, on its own initiative, any person on any matter within its functions.
He added that EACC may require, under the Leadership and Integrity Act (LIA), that public entities assist in ensuring compliance and enforcement of Chapter Six of the Constitution.
Chapter Six of the Constitution deals with leadership and integrity.
Under the Act, these entities may also be required to ensure the promotion of standards and best practices in integrity and anti-corruption.
The cautionary comes after the Kenya Meteorological Department gave warnings of signs of possible El Nino-driven rains beginning September 2023 and going until January 2024.
These rains are expected to fall across the country.
Following the announcement, national and county governments have resulted in putting in place mitigation plans and interventions aimed at managing the effects of El Nino.
Director of the meteorological department David Gikungu said the the rains will begin next week in most parts of the country.
He added that most places will receive above-average rains until the end of December.
“The onset of the rains is expected between the second to the third week of October over several parts of the country except over the highlands west of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria basin, central and southern Rift Valley where rainfall is expected to continue from September,” Gikungu said.
Source : The Star Kenya
