MKU to partner with EACC in mobilising youth on Integrity Training

The Chairman and Founder of MKU, Prof. Simon Gicharu, said it is encouraging that the EACC is increasingly being recognized for training on integrity and corruption prevention, rather than focusing only on curative measures.

Prof. Gicharu, who also serves as the Chairman of the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), noted that when integrity and ethics are cascaded downward and integrated into the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) at primary and secondary school levels, they become easier to embrace within the wider community.

He added that instilling integrity in young learners would help nurture a conscious generation that does not require heavy monitoring in their daily lives.

“I look forward to a future where schools and universities will have no examination invigilators because everyone will have been trained in ethics and integrity. There will be no need for invigilation during examinations—a time when individuals can take responsibility for themselves and adhere to rules without supervision. This is a vision that should one day become a reality,” he said.

Prof. Gicharu further noted that the MKU–EACC partnership will be instrumental in strengthening integrity training across the country. He added that MKU’s sister organization, TV47, alongside other available platforms, will be used to amplify the integrity discourse and promote awareness on good governance and responsible citizenship.

MKU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi also emphasized that integrity could be treated as a common unit that every student must undertake, with opportunities for broader community engagement through student-led initiatives.

He further announced that MKU and the EACC will jointly develop a course on integrity to be offered at the university, targeting both students and the wider Kenyan community.

Commissioner Dr. Monica W. Muiru, the EACC Vice-Chairperson, conveyed apologies from the Commission Chair, Commissioner David Oginde, as she led the EACC delegation, which included Col. (Rtd.) Commissioner Alfred M. Mshimba and other officers.

The EACC team highlighted the Kenya Integrity Leadership Forum (KILF), an initiative under the Commission that provides a platform for dialogue on integrity within universities, with the aim of engaging young people—who form a significant demographic in the fight against corruption.

They noted that the initiative is designed to reduce tolerance for corruption through collaboration between public and private sector stakeholders.

KILF brings together diverse stakeholders to advance integrity and ethical leadership.

“We are targeting the education sector through universities to reach young people. This is their most productive stage in terms of innovation and research, and we encourage them to explore issues of integrity and good governance. We are advancing awareness creation to reduce tolerance for corruption among the youth. We urge them to shun corruption and speak out when they encounter it,” the EACC team said.

They added that instilling integrity and ethical values among young people would help dismantle the misconception that ethical behaviour is a barrier to success.

“We want to work with university students and use this demographic to advance integrity in the country, guided by the understanding that values are best instilled at a young age. This will help build a generation that rejects corruption and understands that ethics pays—that integrity is not a disadvantage but a strength,” they said.