Transparency International Kenya (Action for Transparency) collaborated with Kenya leadership Integrity Forum to organize an online webinar conference on 11th July 2020 to commemorate African Anti-Corruption Day under the theme communicated by the African Union Advisory Board on Corruption (AUABC) “Fighting Corruption Through Effective and Efficient Judicial Systems”.
Discussions were held through two panelist to discuss on the Overall Theme and “The Role of Citizens in Enhancing the Fight Against Corruption”. The first session involved the following panelists: Nelson Havi, President -Law Society of Kenya, Paul Ndemo -Judiciary, Mwaniki Gachoka – EACC and Alex Muteti – ODPP. This was moderated by Media Personality, Trevor Ombija.
Some of the issues highlighted during the above discussion included: Remedies that the Judiciary can employ to ensure that it plays its role effectively, ensuring transparency and accountability in judicial operations and simultaneously promote good governance and ways in which collaboration between the Judiciary and anti-corruption agencies can be strengthened.
The second panelist consisted of Sheila Masinde – Executive Director TI Kenya; Lee Kariuki – Chairman KEPSA Foundation, David Omwoyo -Chief Executive Officer, MCK and Rev. Fr. Joseph Mutie, Chairman IRCK& Gen. Sec. of the Organization of Africa Inst. Of Churches, Kenya Chapter. This was moderated by John Sibi Okumu Veteran Broadcaster, Public Intellectual & Writer.
This session was focused on pertinent corruption issues afflicting citizens including its root causes and remedial actions, the eroding value systems and the need to rebuild social structures.
Some of the issues highlighted by Sheila Masinde were; The use of technology as a key component in the fight against corruption, TI Kenya though its A4T website https://actionfortransparency.com/covid-19/aid/ is currently tracking Covid19 monetary and non-monetary aid. She stated that citizens should be made to understand that choices have consequences as regards the election of leaders with questionable character. In addition, citizens should castigate their leaders once they are found guilty of corruption and initiate their recall from public office. Hence, Kenyans should avoid selection and election of poor calibre of leaders as a way forward in dealing with the scourge.
Other engagements held were a Tweet Chat on Twitter platform to discuss on the theme. The hashtag adopted was #AfricanAntiCoruptionDayKE where over 500 citizens engaged online to further drive the agenda on the Kenyan criminal justice system role and the citizen’s role in the fight against corruption.
In conclusion, the commemoration was supported by a number of stakeholders who made the occasion a great success. This being one of KLIF joint activity, many stakeholders were enthusiastic to participate. The UNDP, Kenya Resident representative – Walid Badawi underscored the importance of combating corruption and improving governance as a core requirement of achieving SDGs, He reiterated that UNDP looks at various aspects of governance including building integrity, transparency and accountability in the state and non state sectors and promoting human rights, basic needs and service delivery under the banner of leaving on one behind.
