NAIROBI, Kenya — Equity Group Holdings Plc has launched a comprehensive ethics reform initiative aimed at boosting accountability and transparency across its operations in Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The reform campaign, announced by Group CEO Dr. James Mwangi, involves rigorous internal audits, employee behavior evaluations, conflict-of-interest checks, and fraud screenings.

The initiative has already led to the dismissal of over 200 staff in Kenya following the exposure of a 1.5 billion shilling payroll and M-Pesa fraud.

“We must protect the brand. Accountability is not an option — it is a duty,” Mwangi said.

The reform has extended beyond Kenya, with Equity Bank Uganda’s Managing Director, Gift Shoko, informing staff that the review had commenced in Uganda.

As part of the transformation, the bank is rolling out new tools and safeguards, including ethics and compliance training, whistleblower protection mechanisms, and digital platforms for anonymous reporting.

The reforms have sparked a wave of reflection among staff, with many voicing support for the initiative.

The Group’s leadership says the reforms are rooted in Equity Bank’s core values of integrity, professionalism, and responsible stewardship.

Mwangi has made it clear that this is not just a temporary clean-up but a cultural transformation aimed at embedding ethical behavior across all levels of the organization.