EAC Deputy Secretary General (Political Federation), Hon. Beatrice Kiraso
The East African Community (EAC) has commissioned a study which will propose a tool and benchmarks that will enable it to periodically assess the capacity of combating corruption and review its prevalence in the region.
Addressing a sectoral committee meeting on preventing and combating corruption in Arusha on Wednesday, EAC deputy secretary general (in-charge of Political Federation) Beatrice Kiraso said: “Once validated, we’ll share with you (experts) the findings and provide practical recommendations.”
Kiraso called for collective regional initiatives to mitigate the effects of corruption, saying the vice was a multifaceted and transboundary in nature.
The EAC senior official said corruption was evil and so its fight should involve soul-searching. “In fact, I emphasise with distinguished delegates, who head anti-corruption agencies, you have to walk a tight rope,” she said.
She explained that it was so astonishing to see some of the anti-corruption agencies being accused of corruption.
“Corruption allegations are not only in the public but also in the private sectors. If we give a blind eye to corruption, it means we acquiesce to divert public resources meant for social welfare services, concentration of wealth in the hands of a few people, while poverty rages on,” she stated.
According to her, with increased trade, free movement of goods and services under the customs union and the common market protocols, corruption has been identified as one of the non-tariff barriers.
She also expressed EAC’s commitment to promote anti-corruption, ethics and integrity in the political integration process.
By LUSEKELO PHILEMON, The Guardian
