Nairobi News

Must ReadNews

City Hall officers to be subjected to mandatory integrity tests

By COLLINS OMULO November 21st, 2018 2 min read

City Hall officers will soon be required to undergo regular integrity tests aimed at reining on corruption at the county government.

This comes after the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) recommended that the county government subject its officials through the process with a view to curbing graft in the capital city, especially in sectors and departments riddled with corruption cases.

In a report titled Institutionalization of Ethics and Integrity and the Role of the Media, the state agency has endorsed regular tests for officers working in corruption-prone departments in the county.

CORRUPTION RISKS

EACC acting assistant director, Ethics and Leadership, Mr Erick Munyao explained that Nairobi County should have such a clause in the contracts given to its over 13, 000 workers to serve as a deterrent for corruption.

He also called for a risk assessment of operational areas to map out corruption risks besides implementation of measures agreed upon by establishing an ethics and integrity department to develop, implement and enforce integrity and anti-corruption strategies.

“Nairobi county government should develop a mechanism for holding heads of units responsible for corruption and unethical conduct in their units,” said Mr Munyao.

The acting director lauded the county government’s efforts in fighting corruption stating that the commission has recorded reduced complaints from the county from members of the public over corruption.

SACKED

He hailed the county leadership for its commitment to eliminate corruption observing that there had been laudable development compared to the previous regime, saying that they have witnessed continued action on suspected corrupt officials in the county.

A total of 40 City Hall staff including senior officials have either been sacked or suspended by Governor Mike Sonko, on allegations of corruption with the governor vowing to rid City Hall off cartels.

The City Hall boss over two months ago suspended Chief of Staff Brian Mugo, acting chief Finance Officer Ekaya Alumasi, John Ojwang a county employee and acting head of county Treasury Stephen Mutua all over accusations of engaging in graft.

Further, over 30 procurement staff have also been suspended over corruption allegations.