Nairobi: In a significant event to mark the progressive and persistent fight against corruption, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), Kenya Editors Guild (KEG), and the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) have joined forces to reinforce the battle against the malpractice.
According to Kenya News Agency, the consultative meeting and Press Club Luncheon featured key members from the organizations, including EACC Chairperson Dr. David Oginde, EACC Secretary and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Abdi A. Muhamud, MCK CEO Omwoyo Omwoyo, and KEG President Zubeida Koome, showcasing a collaborative front to curb corruption.
Revealing the crucial role that the media plays in this fight, the ceremony underscored the need for the media to be empowered in training, funding, and protection policies in order to enhance their relentless efforts towards exposing corruption.
In his remarks, Oginde called on the citizens of Kenya to report, whistle-blow, and be vigilant on governance and accountability wherever they are. Oginde echoed the role media plays as a public watchdog in bringing out details, activities, and the things that have been in the background-this being a much faster route in dealing with corruption cases.
He mentioned that, as EACC, the responsibility involves monitoring, investigating, preventing, prosecuting, and recovering stolen assets or assets yet to be stolen from thieving hands. 'Let us deal with the monkeys that are eating from the labour of our farms. If we work together, we will win this fight,' Oginde affirmed.
CEO Omwoyo acknowledged the importance of this collaboration and expressed his optimism towards the cause, stating that he was hopeful that it would bear fruit. He also emphasized the need for media funding to help various journalists in pursuit of stories on corruption cases. Additionally, he called for partnerships from more stakeholders, like the UN Office on Crime, who he said could easily chip in on an already rolling project.
On her part, Zubeida pointed out the scale of financial misconduct, which remains alarming, with billions of shillings meant for development being stolen, yet only a small fraction is ever recovered. She called for a stronger, more coordinated approach between investigative agencies and the media to expose and recover stolen public assets.
As the fight against corruption pushes on, it is evident that there are continuous efforts by the relevant bodies in addressing this problem. It is also a call to action for the citizens of Kenya to join in the endeavor to combat this pressing issue.