The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has partnered with the Baringo County Government to launch a Corruption Prevention Committee, a key step in institutionalizing integrity at the county level.
Commissioner John Ogallo and Governor Benjamin Cheboi pledged to drive transparency and accountability within the region, with Baringo currently ranked second nationally in bribe prevalence.
The CPC will spearhead anti-corruption initiatives within the county, making Baringo one of the first devolved units in Kenya to operationalize the framework.
Speaking during the launch on Thursday, Commissioner Ogallo stressed the urgent need for preventive action in curbing graft, warning that corruption remains a major obstacle to good governance and development.
“Corruption undermines democracy and fuels inequality. Through prevention, we can build a culture of transparency that benefits all citizens,” he said.
He explained that prevention committees, which are being rolled out under the EACC-GIZ Good Governance Programme, provide counties with structured mechanisms to identify risks, strengthen accountability systems, and safeguard public resources.
Governor Cheboi, in his remarks, pledged full support for the initiative, saying the county government would implement robust preventive measures to restore integrity in public service.
“Baringo County will implement key preventive measures to enhance transparency and accountability in service delivery to the citizens. We are committed to ensuring that resources serve the people as intended,” he said.
The governor noted that corruption erodes public trust and hampers service delivery, adding that the county administration will fully embrace the CPC framework to reverse negative trends highlighted in recent surveys.
The newly launched committee will bring together county officials, civil society, and community representatives to coordinate anti-corruption efforts at the devolved level.
Commissioner Ogallo commended Baringo’s leadership for embracing the partnership, describing it as “a decisive move toward entrenching transparency and accountability in county governance.”
“Through frameworks like the CPC, we are equipping counties with practical tools to fight graft, not just through enforcement but through prevention,” he said.
Governor Cheboi said the county administration is determined to work closely with EACC and other stakeholders to improve governance indicators and restore public confidence.
“The people of Baringo deserve institutions that are transparent, ethical, and accountable. This partnership with EACC will ensure that our systems serve the public interest and not individual greed,” he said.
EACC reiterated its commitment to strengthening county institutions and helping devolved units build a culture of accountability.
“EACC remains committed to supporting counties in building ethical, accountable institutions that safeguard public resources and promote sustainable development,” Commissioner Ogallo emphasized.
The partnership was hailed as a milestone in Kenya’s broader fight against corruption, which has long been cited as one of the country’s biggest governance challenges.
By institutionalizing prevention committees, officials say counties will not only improve service delivery but also create environments where corruption finds no room to thrive.
The launch concluded with both leaders expressing optimism that Baringo’s bold step would inspire other counties to follow suit, ensuring that devolution delivers on its promise of bringing resources and services closer to the people.
