Fast-track whistle-blower protection policy to boost fight against corruption

The Coordinator of Coalition of Homa Bay Organisations on Government Oversight Edgar Ochweyo handing a copy of their petition on enactment of a whistle blower policy to their members in Homa Bay Town. [James Omoro, Standard]

A group of civil society organizations wants the Homa Bay County Government to formulate a whistle-blower protection policy to enhance the fight against corruption in the county.

The Coalition of Homa Bay Organisations on Government Oversight (CHOGO) wants whistle-blowers protected to enable them to have the freedom to divulge information on corruption.

The coordinator of the coalition Edgar Ochweyo, Secretary Nicholas Ouma and member Steve Juma said the lack of whistle whistle-blowers protection policy impedes the fight against graft in the county government.

Speaking during a sensitisation forum in Homa Bay Town, Ochweyo expressed concerns some of the county government employees who tried to expose corruption incidences some years back were threatened.

"Some county government employees who had intentions to expose corruption some years back in Homa Bay received various threats which put their jobs and lives at risk. This situation must be avoided," Ochweyo said.

Ochweyo said they had petitioned the Homa Bay County Assembly to enact legislation for establishing a whistle-blower protection policy.

"Corruption takes place both in the county and national governments. However, workers fear exposing these cases because they can lose their jobs or lives due to lack of a policy that protects them," he added.

He argued the policy will give county government workers the courage to report incidences of corruption.

"The best strategy for fighting corruption is putting in place mechanisms for protecting whistle-blowers. Enacting the policy will enhance the fight against corruption in this county," Ochweyo said.

Ouma argued that the police will help senior government officials to know malpractices happening in their departments.

"The Governor or county executive committee members are human beings and they cannot be in every department to discover malpractices. Encouraging whistle-blowing will make their work easier too," Ouma said.

Juma said the fight against corruption requires concerted efforts of all stakeholders.

He argued that the fight should not be left to senior government officials alone.

Juma told residents to collaborate with the government anti-corruption agencies in fighting the vice.

"We cannot leave the fight against corruption to the President or the Governor of our county alone. I call on everybody to volunteer in reporting corruption incidences to enable us to succeed in this war as a county," Juma said.

He argued that citizens will not get the services they deserve if corruption is perpetuated.

"Corruption impedes service delivery through loss of public funds. Fighting corruption will save public funds for serving citizens," he added.