EACC Chair David Oginde/XEthics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) Chairperson David Oginde has blamed corruption for many challenges facing Kenyans, urging public officers to use their positions to serve citizens rather than themselves.
He spoke in Kajiado County, where top EACC and Kajiado County Government leadership were present on matters of ethics, integrity and good governance.
Oginde said corruption contributes to problems experienced across sectors, including healthcare, education, roads and other infrastructure.
He urged Kenyans not to tolerate public officials who take bribes, saying corruption deprives citizens of resources meant to improve their lives.
“Those who take bribes are our enemies; they are not our friends. It can be your relatives, nephew, uncle, father, mother, but that person is an enemy of the people. We should not tolerate them because they are the ones who are taking away that which is ours,” Oginde said.
Oginde said the effects of corruption are seen through shortages of medicine in hospitals, poor roads, inadequate schools and incomplete public projects.
He said public resources are diverted into private hands, with some individuals using funds he said were obtained through corruption to build expensive homes, hotels and purchase luxury vehicles.
“Corruption affects us in ways we do not understand. The problem is that there are the ones we encounter on our roads, schools, hospitals and everywhere. We complain, but we don’t know it is because of corruption.”
He linked the loss of public funds to incomplete projects, inadequate health facilities and dilapidated public infrastructure.
Oginde appealed to government officials to uphold the oath of office and commit themselves to serving the public.
“All of us working in government, I want to appeal that we take an oath that we shall only serve the people. Let us not steal the resources of our people,” he said.
On September 3, EACC appealed to religious leaders to reject and refrain from legitimising illicit funds ahead of the 2027 General Election.
EACC Chairperson Oginde, while speaking at the National Stakeholders’ Convention at Ufungamano House, Nairobi, warned that dirty money could distort voters’ choices, give wealthy candidates an unfair advantage and fuel corruption once politicians take office.
Oginde said politicians who finance their campaigns using proceeds of corruption, money laundering and unexplained wealth could later feel compelled to reward their financiers through corrupt government dealings.
He cited inflated tenders, manipulated procurement processes and other corrupt arrangements as some of the ways politicians could repay individuals who bankroll their campaigns using illicit funds.
“There is no way we are going to build a society of integrity if we are beneficiaries of illicit resources,” Oginde said.
He addressed delegates on the topic, “Corruption and Politics in Kenya: How Illicit Money Drives Democracy and Viable Mitigations.”
Oginde said election campaigns should be based on leadership, values and principles rather than the financial strength of candidates.
