By Mercy Kachenge and Henry Owino
Nairobi, Kenya: Transparency International (TI) Kenya recently launched the Integrity Walk at the Radisson Blu Hotel, under the theme “Stand Up for Integrity.” This initiative, set to officially kick off on September 28, 2024, aims to galvanize collective action against corruption in Kenya, a country where graft has become deeply entrenched in various sectors.
Abraham Misoi, Programs Manager at TI-Kenya, emphasized the importance of the event, noting that it brings together partners from donor institutions, government agencies, civil society organizations, media, and other stakeholders.
“We are honored to host our partners as we launch this initiative to promote integrity, transparency, and accountability in our country. The Integrity Walk will serve as a powerful signal of our collective commitment to these values,” Misoi stated.
The event is set against the backdrop of pervasive corruption in Kenya, as evidenced by recent scandals and the 2023 Corruption Perception Index (CPI) where Kenya scored a dismal 31 out of 100, indicating a high level of public sector corruption.
Misoi highlighted the significance of this score, stressing that corruption is not confined to specific ministries but is widespread across the public sector. “Living in Kenya means being involved in every sector, and thus having a role in addressing corruption. It is time for us to fully embrace integrity and accountability across our nation,” he added.
The Integrity Walk is more than just a symbolic gesture; it is part of a broader effort by TI-Kenya to educate and empower communities to combat corruption. According to Misoi, the organization’s initiatives focus on teaching citizens about corruption—what it is, how to report it, and how to prevent it in the future.
“Our efforts involve a variety of activities and interventions with different stakeholders to combat corruption and build a society free from corrupt practices,” he explained.
Elizabeth Duya, Programs Coordinator for Citizen Demand and Oversight at TI-Kenya, underscored the importance of access to information in the fight against corruption. She noted that corruption thrives in secrecy, and therefore, transparency is crucial. “This year, the Integrity Walk will focus on access to information, calling on the government and relevant stakeholders to be more transparent by making documents available and involving citizens in decision-making processes, as mandated by the Constitution,” Duya said.
Duya also highlighted the growing role of digitization in reducing corruption, cautioning that the effectiveness of digital platforms depends on the integrity of the individuals managing them. “We support the digitization of processes but emphasize the importance of maintaining high integrity among those who manage these platforms,” she added.
The history of corruption in Kenya is long and troubling, dating back to the era of the founding president Jomo Kenyatta, through the regimes of Daniel Moi, Mwai Kibaki, and Uhuru Kenyatta, to the current administration of William Ruto.
The scale of corruption has only grown over the years, with massive scandals such as the multi-billion-shilling Arror and Kimwarer dams scandal highlighting the extent of the problem.
TI-Kenya’s Integrity Walk aims to address this ongoing issue by raising awareness and holding public servants accountable for the financial resources entrusted to them. Sheila Masinde, Executive Director of TI-Kenya, expressed the organization’s longstanding commitment to fighting corruption.
“We are gathered here today in solidarity to join forces in the fight against corruption. Transparency International has been at the forefront for the past 25 years, advocating for transparency, accountability, and integrity in public institutions,” Masinde said.
The Integrity Walk will feature the delivery of petitions to significant public offices, including Parliament, the Judiciary, the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, and the Ministry of Land, among others. These petitions will call for greater accountability and transparency in the management of public resources.
Samuel Ogeda, Business Development Coordinator at TI-Kenya, called on partners and sponsors to support the event through financial donations, in-kind contributions such as bottled water and T-shirts, and promotional advertisements in the media. “We are urging partners to sponsor some of the operations and help make the event a success,” Ogeda said.
The Integrity Walk represents a crucial step in TI-Kenya’s ongoing efforts to create a corruption-free society. As Duya noted, “The level of corruption in Kenya calls for standing up for integrity in all sectors. Every person found guilty of graft will be held responsible for their actions.”
As the September 28th event approaches, TI-Kenya remains committed to rallying citizens and stakeholders in the fight against corruption, with the hope of advancing towards a society where transparency and accountability are the norms, not the exceptions.
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