By Erestinah Jane, July 13, 2026
Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) Chairperson David Oginde has challenged young Kenyans to take a leading role in the country’s fight against corruption, urging them to become champions of integrity and accountability as Kenya intensifies efforts to eliminate graft from both the public and private sectors.
Speaking during a public engagement, Oginde said the youth possess the numbers, energy and influence needed to transform the country’s governance landscape, noting that lasting success in the fight against corruption will largely depend on whether the younger generation embraces ethical leadership and rejects dishonest practices.
He observed that corruption remains one of the biggest obstacles to Kenya’s development, depriving citizens of quality healthcare, education, infrastructure and other essential public services by diverting resources meant for national development into private hands.
According to the EACC chairperson, corruption not only slows economic growth but also widens inequality, discourages investment and erodes public trust in government institutions. He warned that if left unchecked, the vice threatens the country’s democratic values and future prosperity.
Oginde urged young people to refuse to participate in corrupt dealings, including bribery, fraud, examination cheating, procurement irregularities and the misuse of public resources, emphasizing that integrity should guide every decision they make in school, at work and in public life.
He encouraged the youth to become ambassadors of accountability by reporting corruption whenever they encounter it and by promoting honesty, transparency and responsibility within their families, institutions and communities.
“The fight against corruption is not the responsibility of the EACC alone. Every Kenyan, especially the youth, has a role to play in protecting public resources and ensuring that integrity becomes a way of life,” Oginde said.
He noted that many corruption cases begin with seemingly minor unethical decisions that gradually develop into larger crimes, stressing the importance of instilling moral values early in life to prevent future misconduct.
The EACC chairperson also called on universities, schools and other learning institutions to strengthen ethics education by integrating integrity, civic responsibility and good governance into their programmes. He said nurturing ethical leadership among young people would help produce professionals and public servants who prioritize service over personal gain.
Oginde further challenged young entrepreneurs and business owners to conduct their enterprises with honesty and transparency, saying ethical business practices are essential in building investor confidence, creating employment opportunities and supporting sustainable economic growth.
He observed that the digital age has given young people powerful tools to promote accountability through technology and social media, encouraging them to use these platforms responsibly to educate the public, expose corruption and advocate for good governance instead of spreading misinformation or hate speech.
The EACC boss reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to working closely with educational institutions, religious organizations, civil society groups, county governments and development partners to strengthen integrity awareness campaigns across the country.
He said the commission will continue rolling out programmes aimed at empowering young people with the knowledge and skills required to identify, prevent and report corruption while promoting ethical leadership in both public and private institutions.
Oginde also appealed to parents, teachers, religious leaders and community elders to serve as positive role models by demonstrating integrity in their daily lives, arguing that the values children learn at home and in school play a significant role in shaping their future conduct.
He emphasized that the fight against corruption requires collective responsibility and sustained commitment from all sectors of society, adding that Kenya can only achieve meaningful development if public resources are managed transparently and for the benefit of all citizens.
Concluding his remarks, Oginde urged the youth to see themselves not merely as beneficiaries of a corruption-free Kenya but as the generation that will define the country’s future by choosing integrity over dishonesty. He said by standing against corruption and upholding ethical values, young people can help build stronger institutions, promote social justice and secure a more prosperous future for generations to come.
