The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has identified diversion of fuel and adulteration of its products as the major challenges currently facing the oil sector in the country.
This has been compounded by conflict of interest in allocation of oil to markets and manipulation of data by some players in the lucrative sector.
This emerged when the commission embarked on a two-day training workshop for senior managers from Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) in Sawela Lodge in Naivasha.
According to the commission chairperson Archbishop Eliud Wabukala, oil and gas played a critical role in the country’s economic growth.
He however noted that there were malpractices that marred the sector including irregular award of tenders, fictitious payment and nepotism.
“Some of the main malpractices in this sector included adulteration of fuel and its products and diversion of fuel meant for other markets,” he said.
Wabukala was however quick to note that the commission was working closely with KPC towards strengthening anti-corruption initiatives within the company.
“The region relies on KPC for cost effective and safe transport of petroleum products and it’s integrity should therefore be one of the core values in this sector,” he said.
On graft, Wabukala noted that the commission was committed to repossessing assets obtained through proceeds of graft terming the move as very effective in fighting corruption.
He said that this was the only solution in dealing with rising cases where government officials were obtaining assets using graft money.
“We have so far recovered corruptly acquired assets worth over Sh25B and this is meant to prove that proceeds of crime don’t pay,” he said.
During the workshop, he defended the commission over the time taken to conclude a case and charge suspects in court, terming some of the cases as technical.
“We are working closely with the office of the ODPP and we have so far concluded investigations into over 1,000 cases and we have 169 convictions,” he said.
On his part, the MD of KPC Macharia Irungu said that they were keen to work with EACC in training their staff and maintaining integrity.
He attributed the gains made in the State agency to unity and called on the anti-graft commission to advise them on the areas that they needed to change to reduce future arrests.
“Offices of the EACC and the ODPP are at times known for their Friday arrests but it’s critical that they advise institutions on the areas that they need to change,” he said.