Reward anti-corruption champions in Kenya

Joseph Okhako during the launch of his book, ‘Ethics of Life’

The Kenyan government has been asked to put a system in place that rewards those who fight corruption, like whistleblowers.

Joseph Patterson Okhako, the author of Ethics of Life, said that the lack of proper systems to protect and reward them has held many people back from sounding the whistle on corruption.

He said that corruption is so deeply rooted that even those who try to fight against it end up giving up because society seems to celebrate those who perpetuate the vice.

He says that if the past is anything to go by, Kenya has a long way to go in fighting against the vice.

“Let us reward those who come up with unique ways to stop corruption, either by unmasking police officers taking bribes, medical officers demanding bribes, or just everyone else involved,” he advised.

He was speaking on Radio Maisha’s Morning Show, where he also talked about his book.

Okhako is the Founding Executive Director of the Ethics Institute of East Africa (EthicEA) and the former Acting Deputy Director in charge of Corporate Services at the Bandari Maritime Academy.

He further argued that agencies put in place to fight corruption, like the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), cannot effectively stop the vice unless Kenyans themselves undergo and adopt a serious culture change.

“We have embedded this culture of ‘toa kitu kidogo na tunaabudu wale watu wafisadi’, which loosely translates to ‘give me something small, and we worship the corrupt’,” he said.

According to Okhaki, the judiciary can play a major role if systems are put in place to protect and celebrate judges who stand firm and do the right thing when handling corruption cases.

“Let us also celebrate these judges because our judiciary is very important in this fight,” he said.

Ethics of Life was officially launched on October 27, 2023, in a colorful event held in Nairobi.

The book highlights the Principles and Practices that define the Ethical Path of citizens.

Kenyan youths have consequently been challenged to rise up and be at the forefront in the fight against graft.