Kenya’s anti-corruption watchdog has warned that entrenched governance gaps continue to undermine the country’s integrity systems, even as new data shows significant progress in asset recovery and criminal convictions.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) issued the caution on Monday while launching its 2024/2025 Annual Report at the Integrity Centre in Nairobi.
In the report, released by Chairperson Dr. David Oginde and senior commission officials, EACC documented Kes3.4 billion recovered from corruption-linked assets within the year.
The Commission also disclosed that it filed 79 civil suits seeking to reclaim public assets, the highest number recorded in the last five years.
According to the agency, the suits—valued at Kes4.8 billion—reflect an intensified push to dismantle networks responsible for siphoning public funds.
EACC further reported that its intelligence operations prevented potential losses estimated at Kes16.5 billion.
The agency noted that strengthened investigations contributed to 33 corruption-related convictions over the review period, up from 12 in the previous year.
The data, published by EACC, suggests improved cooperation with prosecutorial agencies and more robust internal investigative capacity.
The findings come at a time when Kenya continues to confront long-standing governance challenges linked to weak enforcement of leadership and integrity laws.
Chapter Six of the Constitution, which sets standards for public office holders, has frequently been cited in political debates but remains unevenly enforced across government institutions.
EACC said this gap, together with interference with witnesses and intimidation of officers, limits the pace of anti-graft reforms.
Although the report does not link the latest figures to electoral dynamics, the Commission highlighted the need for stronger inter-agency collaboration—an issue that has shaped past anti-corruption efforts under successive administrations.
The Annual Report also records growth in youth outreach and preventative programmes, which EACC views as critical in building long-term public support for integrity initiatives.
However, the Commission cautioned that widespread public apathy remains a major obstacle and urged Kenyans to take a more active role in reporting misconduct.