EACC has issued a circular requiring all newly elected, nominated, or appointed state officers or any officer exiting the Government following the August election, to declare their wealth together with that of their spouses and children under 18 years within 30 days.
 
The Commission cited the Public Officer Ethics Act, which states that public officials must declare their wealth within 30 days of taking office and that failing to do so or making a false declaration is a crime punishable by a fine of up to Sh1 million, up to a year in jail, or a combination of the two.
 
Traditionally, wealth declaration by public officials provides crucial information to law enforcement bodies, especially in the recovery of unexplainable wealth or corruptly acquired assets.
 
Kenya was one of the first countries to adopt the United Nations Convention Against Corruption in 2003, which resulted in the passage of the Public Officer Ethics Act (POEA).
 
In Kenya, the POEA established a system of wealth declarations that requires all public officers and their spouses to publicly declare  their assets.