Why fight against graft must be our key agenda this year

Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC CEO Twalib Mbarak. [David Njaaga, Standard]

President Kenyatta informed us in an exasperated voice, that we lose Sh2 billion daily to corruption. This means we lose more than Sh720 billion annually. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) estimates an annual loss of Sh608 billion to corruption, which they say is 7.8 per cent of our GDP.

But Kenyans aren’t shocked or alarmed by these pronouncements! This is because corruption is almost a way of life. Corruption broadly means “dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power, typically involving bribery.” It is a criminal offence involving those entrusted with positions of authority, who acquire illicit benefits or abuse power for their personal gain.