Kenya joins world to mark anti-corruption day as new graft buster Abdi is expected to assume office
The country will today join other member states to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) in commemorating this year’s International Anti-Corruption Day as the new graft buster boss Abdi Ahmed Mohamud is expected to formally assume office after his nomination for appointment by president William Ruto was approved by the National Assembly last week.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (Eacc) will lead other governance stakeholders from the public, private, civil society and faith sectors in commemorating the day, which provides a crucial platform for national reflection on the country’s anti-corruption journey in the last one year.
The Day is annually marked to take stock of the progress made, challenges encountered, lessons learnt and the reforms required in the fight against corruption and other governance malpractices.
The event will be held at Strathmore University.
According to the National Ethics and Corruption Survey 2023 released by the Eacc in March this year, the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government was ranked as the most prone to corruption and unethical practices.
The survey showed 47.1 per cent of respondents named the ministry as the most susceptible to corruption.
It was followed by the Ministry of Health (13.2 per cent) and Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing, Urban Development and Public Works (5.8 per cent).
Ministry of Education (5.5 per cent) and Ministry of Defense (5.4 per cent) were fourth and fifth respectively. The study said the Ministry of ICT, Innovation and Youth Affair is the least most prone to corruption (0.1 per cent).
Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife (0.2 per cent) and Ministry of Environment and Forestry (0.3 per cent) were second and third last respectively.
The sample size for the survey was computed at 5,100 individuals drawn from 510 clusters distributed across all the 47 counties; data collection was preceded by questionnaire design and two days of training held between October 11-12, 2023.
Twenty-five research assistants, supervisors and KNBS coordinators were trained to enhance the quality of data collected.
During the training, the participants were briefed about the Eacc mandate, the purpose and objectives of the Survey, data collection methods, and the implications of the analysis.
As part of practical training, the research assistants carried out a pre-test of the questionnaire. Feedback from the pre-test helped in revision and refinement of the questionnaire.
Data collection was conducted from October 13 to November 4, 2023. In his message, Eacc chair David Oginde said the corrosive effects of corruption diminish private and public sector investments, hinder economic growth, contribute to political instability and foster insecurity.
“Corruption assumes various forms perpetrated by different actors, ranging from small bribes to more intricate schemes like kickbacks, fraud, collusion, embezzlement, extortion, influence peddling, and beneficial ownership.” Oginde noted.
He encouraged Kenyans and other stakeholders to work proactively with the commission towards eliminating corruption and promoting ethical practices in the country.
This year’s theme, “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity” underscores the vital role of young people in promoting integrity and combating corruption.
