This archive report was first published on 9 January 2020.
It's been a year since I took the helm of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, and the public's perception of our efforts remains a concern. Many Kenyans believe that not enough has been done to combat corruption, and the country's global reputation as one of the most corrupt nations only adds to the worry.
However, I firmly believe that we're fighting the symptoms of corruption rather than its root causes. To truly address this issue, we need to look beyond the grand corruption perpetrated by powerful individuals and the petty corruption that affects ordinary citizens.
According to me, corruption in Kenya can be divided into three main components: grand corruption, petty corruption, and political corruption. Grand corruption is often perpetrated by those in positions of power, while petty corruption affects the daily lives of citizens. But it's the third type, political corruption, that fuels both grand and petty corruption.
Political corruption is a complex issue that stems from the public's perception of government officials. Unfortunately, many citizens tend to trust the clergy and the media more than senior government officials. This lack of trust is a major contributor to the prevalence of corruption in Kenya.
As the author notes, the root cause of political corruption lies with the public. We're quick to point fingers at county governments, but the truth is that many of these leaders were elected through the people's mandate. It's our choice, often based on factors like handouts, ethnic inclination, and party waves, that brought them to power.
Political corruption has led to massive poverty and a population that's easily manipulated through petty handouts and artificial tribal mistrust. To truly address this issue, we need to overhaul our anti-corruption laws and make them more stringent. As Lee Kuan Yew once said, no country can win the war against corruption with 'velvet' laws.
While enforcement agencies like the EACC are doing their best to combat corruption, the success in addressing its root causes lies with the public. We need to profile the real causes of corruption and confront them head-on. It's time for us to take responsibility for our actions and demand more from our leaders.
