As the 2024/2025 financial year nears its June 30 close, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has issued a firm warning to public and civil servants across all levels of government against the misappropriation of public funds. The caution comes amid growing concerns over last-minute fraudulent financial activities often associated with the end-of-year spending rush.

Speaking during the official opening of an Integrity and Anti-Corruption Workshop for senior officials of the Bungoma County Government held in Kisumu, EACC Western Region Manager Eric Ngumbi, representing CEO Abdi Mohamud, revealed that the Commission has already rolled out targeted measures to detect and prevent corruption in both national and county governments.

One of the key strategies includes the deployment of financial experts to audit budget allocations and expenditure in public institutions, with a focus on projects flagged as high-risk. “The Commission will engage experts to analyse budget allocations… to enable the timely detection and prevention of corruption in identified projects,” the EACC stated in its official remarks.

To enhance enforcement, the Commission is also scaling up lifestyle audits, unexplained wealth investigations, and surveillance in corruption-prone sectors such as procurement, health, and education. Intelligence gathering and integrity testing will be conducted in select public institutions to curb bribery and improve service delivery.

The EACC further warned that attempts to obstruct or interfere with investigations will attract serious consequences. CEO Abdi Mohamud expressed concern over fraudulent schemes, including fictitious payments and diversion of supplier funds, that have historically plagued the fiscal year-end period.

Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka, speaking at the same event, pledged his administration’s full cooperation with the Commission. “There is no place for corruption, favouritism, or negligence in this administration. We must build systems that promote ethical governance and inspire public confidence,” he said.

The Commission’s proactive stance is being hailed as a crucial step toward safeguarding public resources and reinforcing accountability in government institutions.