EACC engages youth in war against graft

Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) Chairman David Oginde during the Commemoration of the International Anticorruption Day. Looking on is National Youth Council Chief Executive Officer Gloria Wawira. [Benard Orwongo, Standard]

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has said it will, going forward, involve youth in fighting corruption.

This follows recent protests in which Gen Zs pushed for accountability, good governance and a corruption-free society. Further, the decision to engage youth is informed by the fact that a majority of Kenyans are young and the future belongs to them, says the anti-corruption watchdog.

“The young people we are focusing on have great energy, creativity and passion, which has driven them to do some of the things they have done. If this is channeled the right way, we could actually bring down this giant of corruption,” said Bishop David Oginde, EACC chairman.

He added: “We shall work together with the National Youth Council, which is established to be instrumental in channeling the energy of young people so that they are more engaged in combating corruption.”

He was speaking yesterday at Strathmore University in Nairobi, during the International Day of Corruption celebrations themed, Uniting With Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity.

Bishop Oginde said the commission in undertaking its mandate, will collaborate with all stakeholders in learning institutions and where young people are found so that they can begin to develop a culture of integrity, ethics and good use of public resources.

“We have established several measures to help in educating our young people. We have school outreach programmes targeting learning institutions at all levels, from primary, secondary, tertiary and universities to help our young people begin to develop a culture of integrity,” said Oginde.

He said EACC has also established integrity clubs, which are intended to promote values and ethics, and develop right attitudes of honesty. 

Additionally, the commission has participated in developing a curriculum that can entrench ethics and integrity within the education sector. 

The EACC CEO-designate Abdi Mohammud said partnership with the youth is critical in fighting corruption. “We seek to partner with the Kenyan youth to amplify the voice against corruption and unethical conduct, which continue to deny the youth fair access to opportunities for personal development. Let us work together to dismantle the systems that breed corruption,” said Mahmmud.

He added: “The choice of this theme is not coincidental. It recognises a truth we must all embrace; the youth are not only the future, but also the present. They are our nation’s most potent force for change, innovation, and integrity. They are the heartbeat of our efforts to combat corruption and secure a brighter future for Kenya.”  

European Union Ambassador to Kenya, Henriette Geiger said if Kenya cuts corruption by even half, it will reduce external borrowing. “We have also started a project to ensure that people in the counties hold leaders here to accountability so that the fruits of devolution are felt,” she said.

She disclosed that they are working with the National Police Service to ensure that fines are paid and the Occurrence Book (OB) is digitised.