Embrace ethics in the fight against graft, Kenyans urged

Former EACC chairperson Patrick Lumumba and other guests during the book launch. [Courtesy]

Kenyans have been urged to embrace ethics in the fight against graft and impunity in public and private sectors.

Former Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) chairperson Prof Patrick Lumumba said that the only way to eliminate the vice is if leaders and members of the public adhered to ethics.

According to the Lumumba, corruption can be blamed for the underdevelopment witnessed across the country.

“We have a crisis of ethics in this country and that has really affected our image as a country. I am appealing to all Kenyans to change our culture to be ethically right,” said Lumumba.

Lumumba was speaking on Friday during the launch of a book titled “Ethics of Life” that has been authored by Joseph Patterson Okhako.

The book by Okhako who is an anti-corruption crusader chronicles his life growing up in western Kenya where he constantly has to face the effects of corruption in his community.

“The book draws aspiration from the birth of this boy to his present life and what the boy has gone through in the fight against corruption. What the boy has gone through in the fight against impunity, what the boy has endured to inculcate ethical conduct in both public and private sector institutions,” said Okhako.

He is the chief executive of the Ethics Institute of East Africa, an initiative that seeks to help East African nations fight graft, which he believes is the source of evil around the world.

“We believe that without corruption, there will be world peace, without corruption, there will be no wars between Russia and Ukraine, and neither shall we have wars in Middle–Eastern nations! Corruption is the mastermind of all these problems in the world,” added Okhako.

Former Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana who also attended the launch described the book as a template for ethics and governance in the country.

“The book should be read by our leaders and students in schools to guide them on their ethics,” said Kibwana.

Kibwana appealed to Kenyans to expose unethical individuals especially public leaders to ensure the war against corruption is won.

“Leaders should not be driven by pride or selfish interests. All public appointees should have integrity to ensure we end corruption in the public sector,” he said.

Lumumba called on leaders to take the lead in the fight adding that their action will help rally other Kenyans to help the country get rid of what he described as a bad culture that has hindered Kenya’s economic growth.

“The fight against corruption cannot be won if we don’t change our ethics, because corruption starts with individuals who don’t have morals,” Lumumba said.