Embrace ethics to overcome corruption and impunity, Kenyans urged

Former Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission Chairman, Patrick Lumumba has called on leaders and members of the public to adhere to ethics in life and help to defeat corruption which he has blamed on under development in the country.

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

Speaking in Nairobi during the launch of a book titled “Ethics of Life”, the former EACC boss, appealed to all leaders to help fight corruption in a bid to help the country get rid of bad culture and vices that hinder growth of the nation economically.

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

The book is the latest piece of work that unravels the impact of corruption in Kenya and why everyone has to come out and fight the vice.

 It is authored by Mr. Joseph Patterson Okhako who has been an anti-corruption crusader.

The book entails the story of a young boy (Joseph himself) who grew up as an orphan in Western Kenya, braving the effects of corrupt practices that continuously rendered the community around him helpless.

Okhako grew up through the help of well-wishers who did not have any relationship with him.

He believes that his book will serve as an inspiration to those in leadership and those who have given up on speaking about corruption as a vice.

"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,” Joseph said ahead of the launch. 

While corruption took too much from what would have been his fortune, his determination to be part of the people who fight it has made him one of the most prominent scholars in the country. 

“This animal made my life unbearable for over twenty years! I saw corruption in its raw form! In its full regalia; If you believe in the Bible as I do, and the depiction of Satan as demonstrated in the book of Revelation, then believe me, just depict corruption to have the seven horns and several tails and be very scary as the Bible depicts Satan! Yes! I saw it live! I met Satan in the form of corruption during my engagement in the public service,” he added. 

Okhako is Chief Executive Officer at the Ethics Institute of East Africa, which is a product of his initiative to help the East African region reduce corruption and unethical conduct in both public and private sector institutions.

He believes that corruption is the source of evil acts across 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 – East nations! We all know that without corruption we will not have to fight against each other after every election. Corruption is the master-mind of all these problems in the world,” added Okhako. 

He is challenging Kenyans to be proactive in the fight against corruption. 

Former Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana who also addressed the gathering during the launch of the book in a Nairobi hotel, hailed the book describing it 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.

The former Governor also 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. 

Among those who attended included, educationalist doctor Purity Gitonga, renowned journalist Lydia Manyasi who is now the trainer at Ethics Institute of East Africa, Kinuthia Wamwangi chairman Emiratus Transition Authority, Samuel Kimeu executive director and CEO Africa Voices foundation among others