EACC boss Abdi Mohamud defends Sh120 million confidential expenditure

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) on Wednesday found itself under scrutiny as the National Assembly Public Accounts Committee pressed the agency to account for confidential expenditures totalling Sh120 million.

Lawmakers sought clarity on the commission's internal audit system governing the allocation and use of these funds.

Appearing before the committee, EACC CEO Abdi Mohamud was tasked with explaining why the fund was governed by internal audit processes rather than external oversight.

"We cannot just continue to allocate Sh 10 million each month for a confidential fund that is not subject to our discretion and accountability. How then will we measure value?" asked Gatundu South MP Gabriel Kagombe.

In response, Abdi assured the lawmakers that despite the confidential nature of the vote, there were stringent measures in place to safeguard the funds.

"Despite the confidential vote being subject to internal accounting systems, not even a cent of it can get lost," he stated.

Protecting identities

Abdi explained the rationale behind adopting such systems, emphasising the need to protect the identities of key individuals assisting the commission in sensitive investigations.

"If we were to provide a schedule of those who benefit from our confidential fund, it would cease to be confidential. As such, the identities of the key people assisting the commission and other agencies in investigations would be revealed, thereby putting their lives at risk," he said.

This is not the first time the EACC has faced monetary hurdles while trying to deliver on its mandate.

Barely a year ago, former CEO Twalib Mbarak was forced to implement austerity measures after revealing that the agency did not have enough financial resources to sustain operations for the remaining four months of the 2023/24 financial year.

"Only crucial training and conferences will be facilitated, and pending bills for FY 2022/2023 will be prioritised," Twalib said then.

This was despite raising budgetary concerns during a meeting with the National Assembly's Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs (JLAC) where the commission through its chairperson David Oginde requested for an additional Sh702 million to effectively carry out its mandate.

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