EACC excuses jobseekers from presenting clearance certificates

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has advised recruiting public entities against blocking job applicants without the agency’s clearance certificates.

EACC chief executive officer Twalib Mbarak requested state agencies not to make it mandatory for applicants to present the certificates. He wants those recruiting to instead seek the clearance on behalf of the shortlisted candidates.

Owing to the directives by the National Emergency Response committee chaired by Health CS Mutahi Kagwe, the EACC suspended submission of hard copies of self-declaration forms because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Activities at the branch offices were also reduced, with members of the public advised to submit the forms at the Integrity Centre, Nairobi.

Mbarak said public entities recruiting during this period will be the ones to engage the commission on verification of the applicants’ integrity.

“The commission, therefore, advises that any public entity recruiting this period should not prejudice any employment application that will not include self-declaration form,” he said in a public notice issued yesterday.

Persons seeking state jobs are required to present the declaration form alongside clearances by other key agencies in compliance with Chapter Six of the Constitution.

Recruiters ask for clearance by the Kenya Revenue Authority, the Higher Education Loans Board, the Credit Reference Bureau, and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations. The DCI provides certificates of good conduct.

Following the relief, the National Water Harvesting and Storage Authority asked applicants for the post of CEO to take note of the EACC directive. The authority, in an advert in the local dailies, excused applicants from attaching clearance certification by the DCI.

“Candidates who will meet other minimum requirements save for the above will be shortlisted,” the water agency notice reads.

The directive follows an earlier notice by the Commission suspending services at all Huduma Centres, regional offices and scaling down operations at Integrity Centre.

The social distancing measures were taken in line with directives by the National Emergency Response committee to contain the virus.

Kenya had 184 confirmed cases by Thursday, with the ministry reiterating to members of the public to adhere to the set prevention rules.