Public officers who are in active capacity have been warned of illegal offshore bank accounts. EACC has released statement warning that any public officials accused of illegal holding of offshore accounts will be fined Ksh 5 Million and 5 years in jail.
The Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission has set out rules that public officials need to comply with. In a statement, the commission said that notification by public officials about any possession of offshore accounts is mandatory. According to Article 76(2) (a) of the constitution, a public officer shall not open or continue to operate a bank account outside Kenya without EACC’s approval.
This means that the account holder is required to submit annual bank account statements to EACC no later than 31st January of each year. In the case of any closure the commission should be furnished with evidence within thirty days of closure.
According to EACC, only those serving in diplomatic capacity abroad will not be subjected to these rules. Any other public official must comply and adhere to them. This is in a bid to regulate corruption in the country.
The commission reminded all public officials to report to EACC and submit reports or face the tune.
“State and public officers are hereby reminded that operating a bank account outside Kenya without the approval of the Commission is an offence for which upon conviction, a State or public officer shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or a fine not exceeding five million shillings or both.”
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