Speaking about the government’s efforts to fight corruption, the President revealed that property and assets worth Sh9.8 billion have already been recovered and returned to the government.
He added that investigations are still ongoing to recover more assets valued at about Sh22 billion believed to have been acquired through illegal means.
According to President Ruto, the move to empower the anti-corruption agency is part of the government’s broader plan to ensure public resources are protected and used for the benefit of citizens.
“We have enhanced the capacity of EACC to seize assets. We have already obtained assets worth Sh9.8 billion that have now come back to the government, and we are pursuing additional assets worth Sh22 billion obtained by corrupt means,” the President said.
He explained that corruption has for many years drained public resources that should have been used to build roads, hospitals, schools, and other important services.
Because of this, the government is now focusing on ensuring that stolen wealth is returned to the public.
The President noted that recovering stolen assets is just as important as prosecuting individuals involved in corruption.
According to him, asset recovery helps ensure that money taken from taxpayers is returned to support development projects.
Officials at the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission have in recent years increased investigations into cases involving unexplained wealth, fraudulent procurement, and misuse of public funds.
Through court orders and legal processes, the agency has been able to confiscate properties such as land, buildings, vehicles, and bank funds that were found to have been acquired through corrupt activities.
President Ruto said the government will continue supporting the commission with the resources and legal backing needed to pursue more cases and ensure that individuals involved in corruption are held accountable.
He also emphasized that the fight against corruption requires cooperation between government agencies, the judiciary, and the public.
Citizens have been encouraged to report suspected corruption cases so that investigations can begin early.
Analysts say asset recovery has become an important tool in anti-corruption efforts because it not only punishes wrongdoing but also restores public wealth that was lost through illegal activities.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability, saying the government will not tolerate misuse of public funds.