Kenya has won a bid to host Africa’s first Centre for Anti-Corruption Studies and Research (CEREC). The agency is to be established by the African Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities (AAACA), the Continent’s network for regional cooperation in the fight against corruption and promotion of good governance.
The competitive selection was made through a resolution of the General Assembly of the AAACA during an extraordinary virtual meeting held on Wednesday, 10 January 2024.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), representing Kenya in the Association, submitted its bid to the AAACA on 6 October 2023, expressing interest in Kenya to host the new regional body focusing on advanced anti-corruption studies and research. Subsequently, the General Assembly convened Wednesday’s extraordinary virtual meeting for deliberations and adoption of the host country.
Egypt, having equally met the criteria, among them ratification of international and regional legal instruments against corruption, an operational national anti-corruption strategy anchored under constitutional provisions, anti-corruption offices spread across the country, experience in anti-corruption research and functional anti-corruption academy, had, too, expressed interest alongside Kenya.
After vigorous selection, Kenya scored 210 points against Egypt’s 191 points, resulting in her approval and designation to host the agency. The establishment and operationalization of the Centre provide Kenya with a good opportunity, especially in strengthening collaborations and strategies.
Welcoming the decision of the AAACA General Assembly, EACC’s CEO, Twalib Mbarak, appreciated the trust bestowed upon Kenya by its regional peers to take up the responsibility of hosting the new agency. The Centre, Mbarak said, will play an important role in facilitating the development and harmonization of strategies for preventing, detecting, investigating, and controlling corruption and related offenses in Africa.
The resolution of the General Assembly acknowledges Kenya’s commitment to international and regional legal instruments against corruption, including establishing key anti-corruption structures. Kenya has also recorded significant milestones in law enforcement, preventing and recovering corruptly acquired assets.
AAACA was established under the African Union Convention to promote the effective implementation of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption and the United Nations Convention against Corruption, to which Kenya is a signatory.
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