Crackdown on governors, MCAs splashing names and faces on public projects

A crackdown is looming against government officials—including governors and MCAs —who brand county projects and vehicles with their names, images or symbols.

This follows a declaration by senators who have termed branding of public assets by politicians as illegal.

They are calling on the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission to take immediate action.

In a report tabled in the Senate by the Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations, the branding contravenes the constitution.

“Public officers, including governors, MCAs and officials at the national and county levels, should strictly adhere to laws guiding the conduct of public officers,” it reads.

The report was triggered by a petition from Laban Omusundi, a human rights activist and Nakuru resident, who raised concerns over the widespread branding of publicly funded projects and vehicles by governors and MCAs across all 47 counties.

According to the petition, many public assets are emblazoned with portraits, names and images of politicians—giving false impression that these projects are personally funded rather than financed by taxpayers.

The committee, chaired by Wajir Senator Mohamed Abass, cited several laws being violated, including the constitution, the Public Service (Values and Principles) Act, 2015, the Public Officer Ethics Act (Cap 183) and the Leadership and Integrity Act (Cap 185C).

The committee said erecting signposts bearing names and images of politicians amounts to misuse of public funds.

As a result, the committee is urging the EACC, in collaboration with the Auditor General and the Controller of Budget, to take enforcement actions.

“These oversight institutions should enhance monitoring, issue clear advisories on proper use of public funds and conduct audits and investigations to enable appropriate disciplinary action against misuse for personal branding,” the report states.

It comes amid widespread use of personalised signage by governors and MCAs, allegedly to show they are delivering on their mandates and to boost their re-election chances.

Lawmakers want the Auditor General to flag any instances of personal branding on public projects and government vehicles during audits, identifying them as potential misuse of public funds.

“Such cases should be highlighted as possible misuse of public resources for personal gain and appropriate legal recommendations made,” the committee says.

It directed the EACC to, within 30 days, provide a status report on actions taken to stop public officers from branding public assets with their personal identifiers.

“All public institutions and project implementers must comply with the legal requirements for displaying information at construction sites, including the NCA Site Board Guide,” the report adds.

Regulatory agencies are also urged to enhance monitoring and enforcement to ensure compliance and prevent unauthorised branding or personalisation of public projects.

The lawmakers further called on county governments to develop and enforce clear signage guidelines that emphasise the public nature of projects.

“All signs should display only official project information, without attribution to individual leaders,” the report states.

Regarding government vehicles, the committee said they should have their official registration numbers clearly and permanently marked on the vehicle body for easy identification.

“County governments must ensure strict compliance with all laws governing the registration, identification and use of government vehicles,” the report says.

This includes adherence to the Traffic Act (Cap 403), the Traffic (Registration Plates) Rules and the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) Act, 2012.

These laws require standardised registration plates and prohibit unauthorised modifications or personal branding of government vehicles.

Finally, the committee encouraged members of the public to report misuse of government vehicles—such as unauthorised branding or use for private errands—to relevant institutions including the EACC, NTSA and police.