EACC Chair Urges Accountants to Champion Integrity at ICPAK Seminar

Dr. David Oginde, chair of Kenya's Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, addressed delegates at the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya's annual seminar in Mombasa, emphasizing the importance of integrity in professional conduct. He warned that accountants' technical expertise is increasingly being misused to facilitate sophisticated economic crimes. Oginde stressed that integrity begins with personal choices and must be evident in everyday professional conduct.

Oginde highlighted the danger of accountants' technical knowledge being leveraged for corrupt schemes, describing such wrongdoing as "professionally done" and difficult for the commission to detect. He urged accountants to recognize their pivotal role in safeguarding financial accountability, stating that they can either protect institutional integrity or enable wrongdoing. According to Oginde, integrity is demonstrated when an accountant refuses to manipulate figures or an auditor stands by uncomfortable findings.

The EACC Chair emphasized that many people understand corruption is wrong but may abandon moral convictions when personal gain is at stake. He warned that the problem lies in willingness rather than awareness and condemned the culture of silence around corruption. Oginde cautioned that failure to speak out allows evil to persist and called for greater moral courage among professionals and the public.

ICPAK Chair Prof. Elizabeth Kalunda reaffirmed the institute's commitment to cooperate with the EACC, pledging that the professional body will not provide a haven for corruption. She vowed that ICPAK will present a progress report at the next summit. The ICPAK Annual Seminar took place in Mombasa from 9 to 13 November 2026, bringing together accounting professionals and other stakeholders.

The seminar provided a platform for accounting professionals to discuss the importance of integrity in their profession. Oginde's address served as a reminder of the critical role accountants play in maintaining financial accountability. He encouraged accountants to make personal integrity the cornerstone of their professional conduct.

The EACC Chair's remarks were well-received by the delegates, who acknowledged the need for greater emphasis on integrity in the accounting profession. The ICPAK seminar aimed to promote professional development and foster a culture of integrity among accounting professionals. Key stakeholders in the accounting industry attended the event.

The collaboration between ICPAK and EACC is expected to enhance efforts to combat corruption in Kenya. The two organizations will work together to promote integrity and accountability in the accounting profession. This partnership is seen as a significant step towards promoting a culture of integrity and transparency in Kenya's accounting industry.

Key points

• EACC Chair Dr. David Oginde urges accountants to prioritize personal integrity in their professional conduct to prevent corruption.