Sections of Nakuru MCAs, residents welcome directive by EACC banning politicians’ image on public funded projects
A half burnt signage at the main shabab stage in Nakuru city with governor Susan Kihika's branding. Photo taken on June 25,2025.
A section of Nakuru ward representatives, good governance crusaders have welcomed the directive by the Ethics and Anti- corruption commission to bar elected leaders from branding publicly funded projects with their names, portraits and personal symbols.
The EACC in its notice dated June 23 maintained that government developments belong to the people and should never be used for political self-promotion
Governance activist Laban Omusundi, who petitioned the Senate over the continued branding of public projects by politicians noted that the Senate had made recommendations to the EACC enforce existing laws prohibiting the practice.
” The EACC reaffirmed its position through a public advisory 23rd June directing all public entities to ensure government-funded projects do not bear the names, portraits or symbols of elected leaders.
According to him the commission had pointed outd that projects should only identify the responsible government institution and clearly indicate whether they are funded by the national or county government.
Omusundi welcomed the directive, describing it as a major milestone in protecting public resources from political misuse.
"Citizens should report elected leaders who continue branding publicly funded developments with their personal images or names. Every Kenyan has the right to demand accountability," he noted.
Omusundi further called on the EACC to ensure that names and portraits already displayed on existing public projects be removed to fully implement the directive.
The directive by the EACC required state and public officers to refrain from using taxpayer-funded projects to advance personal, political or partisan interests.
The commission noted that branding projects with the identities of serving leaders creates the impression that public developments are privately owned initiatives, contrary to the Constitution, the Public Finance Management Act and the Leadership and Integrity Act.
It further warned that those who disregard the advisory could face administrative and legal sanctions.
Naivasha East MCA Stanley Karanja, popularly known as Wa Mariamu, also welcomed the decision which he say is long overdue.
According to the MCA, elected leaders are entrusted with managing public resources and should not use development projects as campaign tools.
Mr Karanja, however, argued that enforcement should go beyond advisories.
He proposed that branding publicly funded projects with personal images should be classified as an electoral offence, and where necessary, a criminal offence, to deter abuse by leaders seeking political mileage.
" Selective enforcement could undermine public confidence in anti-corruption efforts, calling for impartial implementation of the law regardless of political affiliation," Karanja noted
If the directive is fully enforced, roads, health facilities, schools, water projects and other taxpayer-funded developments will carry only official government identification, reinforcing the principle that public resources belong to wananchi and not to the politicians elected to serve them.