The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has directed all state and public officers to declare operation and control of foreign bank accounts.
In a notice dated Wednesday, EACC noted that it was the body mandated to authorise approval for the officers to operate foreign bank accounts in accordance with the Leadership and Integrity Regulations of 2015.
Those who failed to adhere to the regulations were cautioned that they risked being fined Ksh5 million and a jail term not exceeding five years.
Additionally, government officials were notified that they are required to submit statements on the bank accounts annually to the Commission, which is authorised to verify the details.
EACC also noted that those who closed their accounts were required to inform the Commission of the same.
"The Commission wishes to inform all State and Public officers that it has automated the process for seeking approval to open or continue to operate bank accounts outside Kenya.
"The automated process also allows submission of annual statements of account, as well as submission of notices for closure. Applications for approval, annual bank account statements and notifications of account closure can also be submitted through the email bankaccounts@integrity.go.ke," EACC directed.
In line with the new directive, all the officials were also reminded to declare their wealth with respective agencies.
As highlighted, CSs, Principal Secretaries, the Attorney General and the Solicitor General are required to file their wealth declaration with the Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei.
Public and State officers from the county governments are required to make the declaration with the respective Public Service Boards.
All declarations are set to be filed before the respective offices before January 1, 2024.
"Each entity that is responsible for administering the declaration of income, assets and liabilities is required to, analyze, evaluate, inspect and verify the accuracy of the declaration of income, assets and liabilities for each declaration
"Investigate and take administrative enforcement action against any violations within its respective institutional powers, submitted," read the notice in part.
