The newly appointed Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) team, comprising four commissioners, was sworn in yesterday at the supreme court in a ceremony presided by Chief Justice Willy Mutunga.

The four commissioners, who will be led by the new Chairman Phillip Kinisu, include Dabar Maalim, Paul Mwaniki, Sophia Lepuchirit and Rose Mughoi. The new team will join Halakhe Waqo and Michael Mubea to carry out EACC’s mandate to fight graft.

Mr Kinisu said his newly appointed team together with the ones who are already working will initiate a new strategy to tame the runaway corruption in the country.

“This marks the beginning of a re-energized war against corruption. It might take a while because we are new but in the next few days, you will see the new approach we will take in tackling the problem,” said Mr Kinusu.

Mr Kinusu takes over from Mr Mumo Matemu, who resigned in May 2015 and will definitely have a difficult task of regaining public faith as far as the anti-graft body capability to execute its mandate is concerned.

EACC has since its inception proved to be a toothless bulldog when it comes to fighting the rampant corruption in Kenya especially due to political encumbrance among other issues.

“RECLAIM PUBLIC FAITH”

The CJ urged the commissioners to fight the notion that corruption in Kenya is incurable and reclaim the public faith in institutions.

Mutunga also welcomed the commissioners to conduct a lifestyle audit in the judiciary.

“I have invited the EACC and the Auditor-General to conduct a lifestyle audit in the Judiciary, starting with me and Supreme Court judges.

“Once you draw the framework for the exercise, I will hand over my wealth declaration form and any documentation you may need,” said Dr Mutunga.

EUROBOND, NYS SCANDALS

Mr Kinusu and his team assume office at a time when the EACC is looking into allegedly the biggest corruption scandals under the jubilee government; the National Youth Service (NYS) scam whereby Sh791 million was looted and the Eurobond saga unearthed by opposition leader Raila Odinga where he maintains that Sh Sh140 billion of the fund cannot be accounted for amidst the government’s denial that any money was lost.

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