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EACC to audit Lands Ministry in bid to streamline sector

Speaking during the launch on Monday, EACC Chief Executive Officer Halakhe Wako stated that the audit will scrutinise land transactions and systems with a view of sealing loopholes of corruption/FILE

Speaking during the launch on Monday, EACC Chief Executive Officer Halakhe Wako stated that the audit will scrutinise land transactions and systems with a view of sealing loopholes of corruption/FILE

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 15 – The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has launched an audit of the Ministry of Lands aimed at getting rid of cartels and streamlining the sector.

Speaking during the launch on Monday, EACC Chief Executive Officer Halakhe Wako stated that the audit will scrutinise land transactions and systems with a view of sealing loopholes of corruption.

He indicated that the four month probe will focus on policies, procedures and practices at the ministry that is also responsible for Physical Planning.

“We are not investigating the Ministry but we are looking into the processes of all the systems that the Ministry is running in managing and governing the land and resources that are land based in this country for the betterment of each and every one of us,” he said.

“Land is one of the most important natural resources in Kenya. It is ingrained in the mind of Kenyans that everyone must own a piece of land. This could be the reason why complaints and conflicts related to land matters are never ending.”

He revealed that the EACC receives many complaints and reports on corruption on land matters and most of them have levelled at the Ministry and other organizations handling land administration.

“The EACC employs various strategies in the fight against corruption in Kenya which include Law enforcement, prevention, public education and promotion of ethical standards, conduct and integrity as provided under chapter six of the constitution,” he stated.

The Commission’s Deputy CEO Michael Mubea stated that the probe will ensure all operations are done in a transparent manner with a view to attracting investors and improving the country’s economy.

“All organizations work within explicit and implicit systems, policies procedures and protocols intended to ensure fair and transparent governance. It is however wrong to assume that these systems are sufficiently clear and workable to achieve the desired results and that all members of staff are familiar with them,” he pointed out.

Lands Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi welcomed the initiative and stated that the Ministry will fully implement the recommendations by the probe team.

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“When people want to invest in Kenya and they want to buy land, they must be sure that the title of this resource is secure so that we do not see in places written that ‘This land is not for Sale,’ it is as if every other Kenyan is a thief and that is terrible. We are the people who can change that image,” he said.

The review will take the form of an examination where the team will study, re view, analyse and report on all identified loopholes in the systems of work.

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