Ten days remaining for 13,287 leaders to submit ethics forms

Waziri Kipacha, the commissioner for the Public Leaders Ethics Secretariat, said at a press conference here yesterday that 16 percent of eligible public officials had adhered to the legal requirement for such declaration of their wealth, demanded on an annual basis.

With ten days left to the submission deadline in accordance with the Public Leadership Code of Ethics Act. No.13 of 1995, the commissioner appealed to eligible public officials to adhere to the constitutional requirement espoused in the legislation.

They need to submit their forms by late next week, he said, noting that with increased technology online filing of declaration forms is feasible.

Online submission of declaration forms eases the exercise for officials who do not have time for physical submission, be that they are inside or outside the country, he said.

The Ethics Act section 9(1) (b), reminds eligible public officials to submit the declaration forms by the year’s end, each year, “Where newly appointed leaders are required to submit their declaration form within 14 days after appointment, election or promotion.”

Last year 193 public leaders failed to submit their declaration forms and were issued reprimand letters to explain the failure, where 192 provided reasons. One who failed appeared before the commission, he affirmed.

The Ethics Secretariat is mandated to receive and verify declarations of assets and liabilities demanded of public officials under the constitution, “or any other law as per the identified time deadlines and composition rules,” he elaborated.

To conduct investigations on complaints levelled against any public official in relation to compliance with the Code of Ethics Act.

It also has the mandate to report to the president on affairs and business of the secretariat on matters under its jurisdiction under the Act, he stated.

The law requires any person to disclose or produce any information on accounts, documents or articles as may be required and also require an eligible public official suspected to have submitted a false declaration to confirm or amend the declaration, he added.