Ernst & Young’s reputation on the line, as World Bank slaps a 30-month ban on EY Kenya 

The World Bank Group (WBG) has slapped a 30-month ban on Kenya-based Ernst & Young LLP (EY Kenya), which is in connection with sanctionable practices as part of the Somali Core Economic Institutions and Opportunities Program (SCORE) and the Second Public Financial Management Capacity Strengthening Project (PFM II) in Somalia.

SCORE was designed to improve the enabling environment for private and financial sector development and catalyze private investment and job creation, while PFM II aimed to establish and strengthen systems of domestic revenue mobilization, expenditure control, and accountability in the Federal Government of Somalia, Puntland State of Somalia, and Somaliland State.

According to the facts of the case, EY Kenya failed to disclose a conflict of interest during the selection and implementation of four contracts under the SCORE and PFM II projects, and the involvement of an agent in those contracts.

 In addition, during the execution of one of the contracts, EY Kenya made a provision for allowances to be paid to project officials, a conduct that constitutes fraudulent and corrupt practices under the WBG Consultant Guidelines. 

The debarment of EY Kenya qualifies for cross-debarment by other multilateral development banks under the Agreement for Mutual Enforcement of Debarment Decisions that was signed on April 9, 2010. 

World Bank Group said in a statement that the ban makes EY Kenya and any affiliates it controls ineligible to participate and provide any of its services such as assurance, tax, consulting, advisory and information technology in World Bank Group-financed projects and operations.

 It is part of a settlement agreement under which the company admits culpability for sanctionable practices and agrees to meet specified integrity compliance conditions as a requirement for release from debarment. 

This includes developing and implementing an integrity compliance program that reflects the principles set out in the World Bank Group Integrity Compliance Guidelines. The company also commits to continue to fully cooperate with the World Bank Integrity Vice Presidency.

The settlement agreement also provides for a reduced period of debarment in light of the company’s admission of the misconduct and cooperation, aspects of its existing integrity compliance program and voluntary remedial actions—including disciplinary action against the staff involved in the misconduct—and voluntary restraint from bidding for World Bank-financed contracts during the settlement agreement negotiations.