By Dr. Edris N. Omondi (Advocate)
Integrity—something that seems simple in theory, yet proves to be an elusive quality for many in practice. It is a value we are all taught to uphold, inscribed in our constitution, preached in our religious comforts, but how often do we truly see it in action? Does the pursuit of high standards compromise our character, or are we simply overlooking the small ways we stray from our ideals?
Some time ago, I wrote an article that appeared in one of our daily newspapers titled, “We Need More Kenyans Whose Moral Values Are Not for Sale.” The article garnered wide reading in the country, reaching as far as the UK, where a university professor, requested for my rights to use the article in one of his discourses. It was indeed a spine-tingling moment to see my thoughts impacting great minds afar. However, despite the positive response, I couldn’t shake off the nagging thought: Why hasn’t there been any real impetus to change and how comes dis-integrity has become a norm, a habit accepted as normal from our pulpits to secular lifestyle, affecting the very fabric of our day to day lives, no matter how pretentious we point fingers at others, it seems we have all become victims?
This is the question that needs to be at the heart of our national conversation.
It’s a soul-searching question to all of us as Kenyans, whether we are truly committed to upholding integrity in Kenya, or are we too gullible and feeling helpless, comfortable with compromise, or enjoying the ping-pong integrity game, with the powerful individuals taking advantage of the weak, a dice roller of fate, targeting its next victim-God for us all.
To begin this conversation, we need to break it down into smaller, manageable parts and involve every Kenyan from all cadres of life. The time for a genuine discussion on integrity is now, there has to be a beginning point-from the known to the unknown, no matter how scrambled or untidy it might look like, our starting point is a citizen participatory effort, hopefully, coordinated by the body mandated in law, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), an inspirational launch I cannot afford to miss. If it does so happen!
1. The EACC Prosecutorial Mandate:
We all know the headlines. The public figures, the politicians, the business tycoons—often caught up in cases of corruption, bribery, and abuse of power. Despite the loud accusations and the visible trials, the public is left with a growing sense of skepticism. How many times have we heard about high-profile individuals facing charges, only for the cases to fizzle out, leaving the public frustrated?
One light example that comes to mind is the infamous “Goldenberg” scandal that involved massive loss of public funds. Despite years of investigations, how much has actually been recovered? The endless delays and prolonged investigations cause Kenyans to wonder if the systems are too weak or, worse yet, too complicit.
While prosecutions are essential, they often feel like a band-aid solution, fixing a small part of the systemic issue. A real conversation on integrity must go beyond just prosecuting wrongdoers; we need to dig deeper into why these crimes happen in the first place and what can be done to prevent them from happening again.
2. The EACC Ethics Mandate:
Ethical standards are the foundation upon which any society is built. When integrity is compromised, it leads to a breakdown of trust, not only in public institutions but in the very fabric of society. But ethics cannot only be enforced from the top down—it has to be embedded in the daily practices of the citizens themselves.
Take, for instance, the small acts of corruption we witness daily: the police officer asking for a bribe on the road or the government official taking a backhander for a “speedy” service. These micro-corruptions, while seemingly insignificant on their own, cumulatively degrade the moral fiber of the nation. In the long term, they normalize the idea that “it’s okay to break the rules if no one is watching.” We need to address this culture, starting with educating the younger generation on the importance of moral values that cannot be bought or sold.
3. The EACC Prevention Mandate:
The prevention of corruption and unethical behavior should be at the heart of any national conversation on integrity. While prosecuting corruption is important, preventing it before it happens is even more critical. Prevention means addressing the root causes: the lack of accountability, the ease of manipulation, and the absence of transparency in systems.
Imagine a scenario where we overhaul how public procurement works—by introducing transparent bidding processes, ensuring public officials’ assets are disclosed regularly, and holding individuals accountable for the mismanagement of funds. This is where the prevention mandate comes in, but for it to succeed, we must have systems in place that make it hard for unethical behavior to thrive.
4. Involving the public, the fourth dimension to strengthen the EACC structures:
The EACC can only do that much and the involvement of the public is limited to their legislative mandate. However, we can incorporate a final piece of the puzzle, which would involve their logistical support, and that is, the involvement of the public. Integrity is not just a top-down approach; it must be a collective effort. Citizens need to be aware of the role they play in upholding integrity in their communities. From reporting small acts of corruption to demanding accountability from their elected leaders, public involvement is crucial.
In practical terms, how can we get the public involved? Let’s begin with an autochthonous solution! The involvement of EACC to encourage citizens integrity assemblies can be a step in the right direction, involving civic educational practice and partnerships with, pro right CBO’s, NGO’s and similar bodies. This would ignite honest conversation and community-based solutions teased out.
Furthermore, this can be escalated by creating national campaigns to educate citizens about the importance of integrity at every level—whether in the workplace, on the roads, or at home—would help to gradually shift attitudes. We need to redefine what integrity looks like for the everyday Kenyan and ensure that it is a value shared by all, from our religious comforts, the village to the urban center.
Where Do We Start?
To begin this honest national conversation on integrity, we must focus on small but meaningful actions. For example:
Encourage Reporting: Make it easy for people to report unethical behaviour without fear of retribution. This can be done through anonymous tip-off lines, local community forums, or digital platforms.
Build Ethical Education Programs: Launch campaigns in schools, universities, and workplaces that focus on the importance of integrity and ethical behaviour. Teaching young people that their moral values are not for sale is the first step to creating a generation that upholds these standards.
Strengthen Institutions: While the EACC plays a vital role, we must ensure that other institutions like the Judiciary and the Police are also empowered to hold individuals accountable. Systems that lack the capacity to pursue corruption cases should be strengthened to deliver justice wittily and swiftly. In fact, corruption courts can integrate the Alternative Justice System, depending on the merit of the actions.
Public Leaders Leading by Example: Public officials, business leaders, and community heads must lead by example. If the leaders in society are seen engaging in corrupt practices, it sets a precedent for the rest of the population. Integrity must start at the top. We have a Luo adage that say’s Rech chako top gi wiye’ a fish rots first from the head.
Conclusion
Integrity may indeed be an evasive truth in some parts of our society, but that does not mean it is unattainable. With a clear, collective effort and a willingness to address the hard truths, Kenya can begin a national conversation that will lead to real change. It’s time for all of us to ask ourselves: What role am I playing in either upholding or compromising integrity? The choice is ours, and the time to act is now.
