The fight against corruption could get more resources if EACC is allowed to keep part of the money and property it recovers, stakeholders in Western Kenya have told Parliament.
The participants said the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission should not have to rely entirely on its allocated budget when it is able to recover public funds and property taken through corruption.
They want anti-corruption laws changed to allow EACC to retain a percentage of the recovered assets and use the money to support its work.
The proposal was raised in Bungoma during a regional public participation forum on the commission’s proposed budget for the 2027/2028–2029/2030 financial years.
Participants said limited funding continues to affect the fight against corruption, arguing that EACC needs more resources to carry out investigations and pursue the recovery of public wealth.
According to the stakeholders, providing additional funding to the commission would allow it to handle a larger number of cases and complete investigations within shorter periods.
They also said better funding would help EACC recover more public money and property while reducing delays in corruption cases.
Bungoma human rights activist Emmanuel Were called for part of the funds recovered by EACC to be given back to the commission to support its operations.
“EACC has been recovering grabbed public property iliyochukuliwa na matapeli. We as citizens tunasema ya kwamba kwa sababu EACC inarudisha hizo pesa Treasury, Treasury should consider that at least 30 per cent returns to the commission so that it is able to undertake its mandate without financial constraints,” said Were.
Beyond funding, the stakeholders called for EACC to work more closely with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) and other State agencies in enforcing leadership and integrity standards.
They said the cooperation should be strengthened ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The participants further said people facing corruption allegations should not be allowed to contest elective positions.
They also want leaders accused of organising young people to take part in political violence prevented from seeking elective office.
The Bungoma forum also brought renewed calls for Parliament to speed up the proposed Whistleblower Protection law.
Participants said fear of victimisation and threats to personal safety continue to discourage many Kenyans from reporting corruption.
EACC Director of Field Services Jackson Mue said the absence of a law specifically protecting whistleblowers and people who provide information to law enforcement agencies remains a major challenge.
“It would be ideal if we had mechanisms for protecting whistleblowers and those who provide information to law enforcement agencies. Currently, we have protection agencies; we have a law which protects witnesses supporting cases which are in our courts, but we don’t have a law protecting those who provide information to law enforcement agencies," Mue stated.
Mue led the Bungoma forum, which was held as part of EACC’s public participation exercise to collect views from stakeholders before the commission finalises its budget for the 2027/2028–2029/2030 financial years.
The stakeholders said giving EACC a portion of the resources it recovers would strengthen its ability to carry out investigations, recover public assets and support the wider fight against corruption.