ICPAK Told to Uphold Professionalism to Root Out Corruption
Former President Kalonzo Musyoka addressing the Media at the ICPAK conference in Mombasa. (Photo By Mwakwaya Raymond)
By Mwakwaya Raymond
Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com
Wiper leader Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka has called on the accounting professionals to be the foundation of accountability and transparency to eradicate corruption in the country.
While addressing the 42 ICPAK annual delegates meeting in Mombasa on Friday May 23, 2024, the Wiper leader said accountants have a significant role in ensuring national transformation and development growth.
“The accounting profession should be front and centre as the foundation of accountability and transparency in a healthy democracy. In our determined quest to transform our beloved republic into a nation admired and respected regionally and internationally,” he said.
Within the last 41 years, ICPAK has grown to be a respected body of 40,000 certified members who work in diverse sectors of the economy as accountants, financial experts, auditors, and financial consultants in the country and beyond its borders (44 countries globally).
“Ethics is not some philosophical notion for abstract debate; it is the very essence of professional practice. When you sign off on financial statements, you are not just confirming numbers; you are risking your professional name.”
He encouraged the members to break free from mere compliance, box-checking and step forward as champions of real institutional change.
“Your role goes beyond being merely technically competent; it involves being a moral compass bending towards ethical justice. When you witness something in error, do not be afraid to speak out. If you are put on the spot and asked to betray your values, hold firm. Always remember, your signature is not just a sign; it is a guarantee – not to your customers but to your country.”
At the same time, Kalonzo accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of failing to honour Mama Boga and bodaboda sector economies’ pledges, but instead has subjected them to more taxation pain.
Kalonzo, while addressing the 42 institute of certified public accountants of Kenya ICPAK delegates in Mombasa, claimed the ruling government gave Kenyans a raw deal and has no reason for re-election saying even mamaboga have been forgotten.
Although President Ruto pledged to help the bodaboda sector, the Wiper claimed instead he had inflicted them with economic hardships.
“What we did with President Mwai Kibaki is to zero rate tax on bodaboda, but today a bodaboda that cost Ksh70,000 is going at Ksh159,000 because of over taxation by his regime.”
Kalonzo termed Ruto’s administration as the most corrupt and unable to deliver the pledges it made to Kenyans during the campaign period.
“If we stop the stealing we can have free secondary education, because every Kenyan is entitled to free high level education.”
According to him Kenyans should be ready to go to the streets if they feel unsatisfied with the new proposed finance bill 2025-26.
“When the young Kenyans took to the streets across Kenya, they were not just protesting against the punitive Finance Bill 2024, they were reclaiming their role in shaping the future of their nation.”
He said Kenya Kwanza no longer talks about Vision 2030, but instead has duped Kenyans with the bottom up economic transformation model economy which has failed to work.
“Do you hear the Ruto administration talk about Vision 2030? No. What you hear them talk about is Bottom-Up. Kenyans, I think we need to go for mental check-up. All of us.”
He asked ICPAK to play a big role in exposing and stopping corruption in the country in their line of duty.
The Wiper leader was accompanied by Kitui senator Enock Wambua, nominated senator Shakila Abdalla (Lamu), Machakos Agnes Kavindu among a host of other members of county assembly.
