The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is pushing for stronger legal powers that would allow it to stop politicians linked to corruption from contesting in the 2027 General Election.
Appearing before the National Assembly Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee on March 5, EACC Chief Executive Officer Abdi Mohamud said the commission wants constitutional and legal reforms that would give anti-corruption agencies clearer authority to block candidates who fail integrity tests.
Mohamud told lawmakers that the current Constitution contains loopholes that weaken enforcement of Chapter Six on Leadership and Integrity. He pointed to Articles 99(3) and 193(3), which allow individuals convicted of abuse of office to remain eligible to run for political office as long as their appeals are still pending in court.
According to the commission, this legal provision makes it difficult to enforce integrity standards because convicted politicians can continue seeking elective positions while their appeals drag on for years.
To close the gap, EACC is proposing amendments that would automatically bar individuals convicted of corruption, abuse of office, or violations of the Constitution from vying for elective office unless the conviction is successfully overturned on appeal.
The commission also wants changes to the Leadership and Integrity Act to explicitly empower EACC to vet and verify the integrity of candidates before elections.
Officials further recommended the creation of a clear legal framework that would allow EACC to work closely with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) during candidate clearance processes.
Mohamud told MPs that establishing clear laws and coordination mechanisms would enable the commission to effectively prevent corrupt leaders from appearing on the ballot in 2027 and help restore public confidence in Kenya’s electoral system.