The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has been asked to take urgent action against governors, MCAs and other government officials who brand county projects and vehicles with their names, images or symbols.

This follows a Senate report that found the practice illegal and a misuse of public funds.

The report, tabled by the Senate Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations, warns that the branding of publicly funded projects by politicians is in breach of multiple laws, including the Constitution, the Public Officer Ethics Act and the Leadership and Integrity Act.

“Public officers, including governors, MCAs and officials at the national and county levels, should strictly adhere to laws guiding the conduct of public officers,” the report states.

The committee, chaired by Wajir Senator Mohamed Abass, was responding to a petition by human rights activist Laban Omusundi, who raised alarm over what he described as widespread personal branding of public assets across all 47 counties.

The petition noted that this branding gives a false impression that projects are funded by individual politicians rather than taxpayers.

The report identified the use of names, portraits and personal symbols on signage and government vehicles as an attempt to claim undue credit for government work, often with the aim of boosting re-election chances.

It said the practice violates provisions of the Public Service (Values and Principles) Act, 2015, and constitutes improper use of public resources.

The committee directed the EACC to provide a status report within 30 days on actions taken to stop public officers from personalising government assets. It also called on the Auditor General and Controller of Budget to support the enforcement by issuing clear advisories, conducting investigations and flagging personal branding during audits.

“These oversight institutions should enhance monitoring, issue clear advisories on proper use of public funds and conduct audits and investigations to enable appropriate disciplinary action against misuse for personal branding,” the report reads.

Senators further directed that all public signs should carry only official project information without attributing works to individual leaders.

“All signs should display only official project information, without attribution to individual leaders,” the report states.

It also called for county governments to set up and enforce signage guidelines that reflect the public nature of development projects. In addition, it recommended that government vehicles be clearly marked with their official registration numbers for proper identification.

The report stressed the need for all institutions and project implementers to follow existing construction site rules, including the NCA Site Board Guide.

Regulatory agencies were urged to step up enforcement to stop unauthorised branding and prevent the use of public funds for political self-promotion.