The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has disclosed that it is stepping up efforts to trace illicit wealth moved across countries through specialised training in partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (NAZAHA).

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

According to a statement obtained by Kenyans.co.ke , the training is being implemented under a Memorandum of Understanding signed by both countries in 2023, which includes cooperation in tackling corruption.

EACC said Saudi Arabia’s support has enhanced the commission’s capacity to investigate increasingly advanced corruption cases, follow financial flows, and recover assets.

“EACC expressed appreciation to NAZAHA for its continued support in strengthening the Commission’s institutional capacity through specialised training for its officers in asset recovery, beneficial ownership, illicit financial flows, and the investigation and prosecution of complex corruption cases,” the statement read.

📌 What You Need to Know

Chief Executive Officer Abdi Mohamud emphasised the importance of international cooperation in pursuing cross-border corruption cases during a meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Kenya, Saad bin Abdullah Alnofaia, on Thursday, August 13.

EACC explained that the training is aimed at improving officers’ ability to identify the individuals or entities behind assets and trace complex financial transactions across countries.

The partnership comes amid heightened scrutiny as the commission continues to crack down on corruption among government officials, including the movement of public funds through illicit financial channels outside the country.

In addition, EACC said the cooperation with Saudi Arabia includes enforcing accountability in major investments and high-budget projects in order to safeguard public resources.

This comes after a July report by Transparency International Kenya (TI-Kenya) identified several infrastructure projects at high risk of corruption, with the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) ranked the highest among those assessed .

EACC said stronger international partnerships would improve its ability to prevent, investigate, and prosecute corruption cases.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke