Stop this parliamentary tyranny, greed and impunity now!

PRESS STATEMENT

It is in the public interest that we the undersigned civil society organizations formally make this statement concerning the on-going spirited campaign mounted by the Kenyan MPs against the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (the SRC) demanding for a salary increment and threatening the removal from office of the SRC Commissioners from office.  We are deeply concerned and disappointed that at a time when Kenyans are looking for a break from the past, legislators drawn from both houses of Parliament are hell-bent on increasing their salaries through threats and arm-twisting tactics that go against the constitutional standards of behaviour demanded of both public and state officers.   The timing and show of collective greed is in total disregard of the values and principles of the constitution regarding the management of and the governance over public resources as enshrined in Articles 1, 2, 10, 73, 74, 75, 94, 95, 96, 116, 201, 206 and 230. Read more... Audit of Kriegler commission report establishes that majority of the recommendations have been implemented

Nairobi– 26th February 2013 –An audit of the implementation of Independent Review of Elections Commission (IREC)-the Kriegler Commission report by Transparency International Kenya finds that a raft of its recommendations have been implemented. These include constitutional, legal and policy interventions that have been effected to actualize the Kriegler recommendations. Read more...

60% Kenyans believe corruption levels have increased or remained the same during President Kibaki’s 10 year rule

Mombasa – 24th February 2013 –A survey by Transparency International Kenya reveals that 58% of Kenyans think corruption levels have either remained the same or increased in the last decade. 14.5 percent of these respondents believe the levels have increased a lot  across that period. Read more...

Kenya still perceived as a corrupt country both globally and in Africa

Nairobi, Wednesday 5th December 2012: Kenya was ranked number 139 out of 176 in the global Corruption Perception Index (CPI) 2012 released today by the Transparency International global movement against corruption.

With a score of 27 on a scale of 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (least corrupt or very clean), Kenya fell way below the 50 percent mark. The Corruption Perceptions Index measures the perceived levels of public sector corruption in countries worldwide. Based on expert opinion, countries are scored from 0 to 100. Some countries score well, but no country scores a perfect 100. Two-thirds of the 176 countries ranked in the 2012 index scored below 50, showing that public institutions need to be more transparent, and powerful officials more accountable. Read more...

Statement by Transparency International Kenya and The Institute for Social Accountability on the status of devolution

Status of Transition: A Civil Society Scorecard

The Transition to Devolved government Act, 2012 establishes the Transition Authority to facilitate the transition. The Act demands that the Transition Authority perform its functions subject to the Constitution, and be accountable to the people of Kenya and ensure public participation in the process.   The Constitution of Kenya equally provides the involvement of people into the process of policy making and accountability for administrative acts.

Further to a civil society meeting held on 30th November 2012 to assess the status of implementation of devolved government we noted the stringent timelines facing the Transition Authority whose members were appointed in June 2012. We commend their efforts to get the transition process on track but note the following critical concerns that threaten to derail the transition process. Read More...

Bribes demanded by regulatory authorities contribute to increased cost of doing business along East Africa trade corridors

Nairobi – 19^th November 2012 –A survey by Transparency International Kenya and Trade Mark East Africa (TMEA) reveals that regulatory authorities in East Africa demand the highest amount of bribes from transporters and drivers along the transport corridors.

According to the report titled Bribery as a non-tariff barrier to trade; a case study of East African trade corridors, Tanzania’s regulatory authorities ranked worst at USD 12, 640 (Kshs. 1,074,400) followed by Kenya at USD6, 715 (Kshs. 570,775), Uganda was third at USD3, 672 (Kshs.312, 120) while Rwanda ranked fourth at USD 679 (Kshs. 57,715) and Burundi had the lowest at USD293 (Kshs. 24,905). Read more...

Statement by Civil Society Organizations on the move by Members of Parliament to award themselves a hefty severance package

The move by Members of Parliament to introduce amendments to the Finance Bill 2011 effectively awarding themselves a hefty Ksh 2.1 Billion severance package is extremely disturbing and unfortunate and in direct conflict with the constitutional mandate of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission established in article 230 of the Constitution of Kenya.

We note with great concern this pattern of Kenyan Members of Parliament in continuing to flout the law, this time disregarding the essence of the Salaries & Remuneration Commission. We are also deeply concerned that Members of Parliament and the Parliamentary Service Commission have abused their privileges and disregarded all rules of decency and conflict of interestand make a mockery of the letter and spirit of the Constitution. Read More...

The East African Bribery Index 2012: Bribery levels remain high in Kenya

Nairobi, Kenya: Friday 31st August 2012 – Bribery prevalence in Kenya remains high as the country moved from fourth place recorded in 2011 to third in the 2012 East African Bribery Index (EABI) with an aggregate index value of 29.5% up from the 28.8% recorded last year.

Uganda registered the highest bribery levels in the region with a value of 40.7%. Burundi, the worst ranked country in 2011 recorded a significantly lower index of 18.8%, down from 37% recorded last year. Tanzania recorded 39.1% respectively while Rwanda remains the least bribery-prone country in the region with an aggregate index of 2.5%. Read More...

The leadership and integrity bill as proposed by cabinet fails to address deficiency of integrity in leadership in Kenya

Tuesday, 15th August 2012, Nairobi, Kenya: The move by cabinet to delete several key provisions from the leadership and integrity bill as proposed by the Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution (CIC) and stakeholders is the boldest attempt yet by the Executive to undermine the aspirations of Kenyans as expressed in the Constitution. Read More...

Civil society statement on the controversy surrounding the procurement of biometric voter registration system

JULY 29 2012: Kenyans for Peace with Truth and Justice (KPTJ), an independent umbrella body of Kenyan civil society organizations and our colleagues in civil society including Transparency International (TI) Kenya, Constitution & Reform Education Consortium (CRE-CO), The Centre for Law and Research International (CLARION), Center for Governance and Democracy (CDG) wish to express our concern over the procurement process for the Biometric Voter Registration System (BVR) Read More...

Joint civil society statement

Act on politicians spewing ethnic animosity

Nairobi, Kenya, Tuesday, 31st January 2012: We, civil society organisations working in the governance sector, express concern over utterances allegedly made by a section of politicians in the past week that could catalyse ethnic anarchy in Kenya. During a political rally in Eldoret last weekend, utterances were allegedly made to the effect that if two of the politicians facing charges at the ICC are not allowed to seek elective positions in this year’s elections, then there will be no elections. Some politicians are alleged to have urged the public to prevent the presidential elections if the two politicians are barred from contesting in the presidential elections. Derogatory statements that bordered on hate speech were allegedly made during the meeting.  Should it emerge that such utterances were made, there is need for immediate action, as if they continue unchecked they could plunge this country into civil unrest reminiscent of the 2008 post-election violence. The politicians are also said to have made declarations against the work of the civil society in Kenya, demeaning their role and inciting citizens against civic education

JOINT PRESS STATEMENT BY CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS END STALEMATE ON THE ETHICS AND ANTI-CORRUPTION COMMISSION NOMINATIONS

Nairobi, Kenya, Thursday, 12th January 2012: The civil society is disappointed with the process of recruitment of Commissioners to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC). The process is highly flawed and stands no chance of giving Kenya a credible Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission. The recruitment should therefore be immediately terminated and a new one commenced without further delay.Read more...

RECRUITMENT OF COMMISSIONERS TO THE ETHICS AND ANTI-CORRUPTION COMMISSION

Nairobi, Kenya, Saturday, 7th January 2012: TI-Kenya is disappointed with the process of recruitment of Commissioners to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC). The process is highly flawed and stands no chance whatsoever of giving Kenya a credible Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission. The process has been marred with controversy and no longer commands the respect and trust of the people of Kenya. The recruitment should therefore be immediately terminated and a new one commenced without further delay. Read more...

Strengthening transparency, accountability and participation mechanisms to improve access to water

Nairobi, Kenya, 7th December 2011: Equitable water access in Kenya continues to be compromised by lack of integrity and ineffective regulation of water utilities and informal service providers despite key water sector reforms initiated in 2002. The lower income groups bear the greatest burden under the prevailing circumstances. These are among the key findings highlighted by the National Water Supply Integrity Study (NWIS) launched by Transparency International-Kenya today. The report provides an overview of the Kenyan water supply sector in terms of integrity and performance and is based on literature review, discussions with water sector actors and case studies. It targets water sector specialists and key stakeholders involved in policy-making, regulation, water service development and provision in Kenya. The study was undertaken through the Transparency and Integrity in Service Delivery in Africa (TISDA) project between February 2009 and June 2011. More...

Humaitarian Aid Programme , Transparency International Kenya [ video]

When aid is not transparent, aid is not used in the most effective way. This has implications for the quality of life for the most vulnerable populations. More transparent aid is more effective aid - Nicolas Seris, Programme Coordinator of Humanitarian Aid for Transparency International Kenya.

Watch The video...

Kenya continues to rank at the bottom of the Corruption Perception Index 2011 

Nairobi Thursday 1st December 2011: Kenya has been placed at position 154 out of 182; this is according to the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) 2011 launched today in Berlin. Kenya has recorded negligible improvement from a score of 2.1 in 2010 to 2.2 in the 2011 index in a scale of zero to ten (zero indicating a high levels of corruption perception and 10 showing low levels of corruption perception). The CPI 2011 surveyed 182 countries compared to 178 in the 2010.  This is an indication that reforms catalyzed by the new constitution have not yielded dividends in the fight against corruption. The ongoing Judicial and intended Police reforms hold the possibility for progress. However comprehensive reforms in the public sector are needed, especially the legal services sector. The lack of progress in tackling graft can still be attributed to lack of political will and the slow pace of reforms in critical sectors, despite implementation of the Constitution. Kenya is among the 27 lowest-scoring countries in the company of countries widely perceived as endemically corrupt or failed. Read More...

Corruption Perceptions Index 2011: What’s in a number?

Deborah Hardoon, Transparency International’s Senior Research Coordinator, explains how the Corruption Perceptions Index measures corruption and how this can be an incentive for tackling it.

Read More...

Corruption Perceptions Index 2011: A call to action

With all but four Sub-Saharan African countries coming in on the lower half of the 2011 Corruption Perceptions Index, it’s easy to focus on the bad news. But Chantal Uwimana, Regional Director for Africa and the Middle East says the results can be a motivation for governments and citizens alike to tackle corruption, with a focus on the power of the individual to create change.

Read More...

‘Time to Wake Up’

Two public forums on the Transparency International’s anticorruption global campaign themed ‘Time to Wake Up’ were held in Mukuru, Nairobi and Maili Nne in Eldoret in October 2011. In Nairobi, the forum was held in the Mukuru Kwa Njenga with the participants discussing how corruption has affected them locally and strategies to counter the vice.

Most of the participants felt that the root cause of corruption is poor leadership which citizens contribute to by electing undeserving and unethical individuals. Participants suggested ways in which they can come together to vet aspiring leaders to ensure their suitability.

The forum in Eldoret was facilitated by TI-Kenya’s Advocacy and Legal Advisory Centre. Participants highlighted the Police (traffic police), the courts and the Ministry of Agriculture as institutions where corruption was rampant in  the region. The ALAC Officer Richard Maina reminded the participants on the power the Constitution gives citizens and urged them to make use of this authority to fight corruption.

The ‘Time to Wake Up’ campaign seeks to arouse civic action on corruption issues and is being conducted by four other TI national chapters in Hungary, Columbia, Chinese Taipei and Lebanon. It will be rolled out to other countries in the  coming months.

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East African Bribery Index Launch

East African Bribery Index Launch Transparency International-Kenya (TI-Kenya) launched the East African
Bribery Index on 20th and 21st October 2011 in Tanzania and Kenya respectively.

The key note address in the launch in Tanzania was delivered by former Tanzanian Foreign Affairs minister Ibrahim Mohamed Kaduma. He challenged stakeholders including the government to utilise echnology in the public sector to curb corruption.

“We should take a cue from visa issuance procedures of a number of developed countries, the bulk of
whose applications and processing is done electronically. Individuals meet only when the visa is issued,” he said.

“Is it really beyond our brains to devise a system that will accomplish the same even in selecting contractors and negotiating the contracts so that people meet only to sign them?” he asked.


He challenged stakeholders to  formulate an East African Code of Ethics  which shall instill a sense of nationhood among East Africans. “These should be principles which shall be used in determining the development and governance policies to build a really independent, unitedand respectable East Africa worth of being emulated by other regions,” he advised.

Speakers during the launch in Nairobi,Kenya were Mr.Samuel Kimeu, the Executive Director TIKenya,
Hon. Shakeel Shabir, Member of Parliament for Kisumu Town East and Dr. Hukka Wario, Director, National Anti-Corruption Campaign

Steering Committee.Hon. Shabir, who represented the African Parliamentarians’ Network against Corruption (APNAC) Kenyan chapter proposed that Parliament should establish legal mechanisms to ensure effective  oversight of the government to promote transparency and accountability.

“Instituting appropriate mechanisms for sanctioning public officials who are found guilty of wrong-doing in the performance of their duties will enhance the war against graft,” he said.

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Monitoring PACT for impact in Mombasa

The Transparency and Integrity in Service Delivery in Africa (TISDA) team of Transparency International-Kenya facilitated a meeting from 17th to 19th October 2011 between the Old Town Water Action Group (OTWAG) and Mombasa Water and Sewerage  Company (MOWASCO). The aim of the meeting was to strengthen the relationship between the two groups following the signing of a development pact in May 2011. The pact formalised  the partnership between the two groups and is aimed at improving water service delivery in Mombasa. During the meeting, OTWAG was tasked with identifying interventions requiring MOWASCO’s support.

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Making budgets more gender responsive

Transparency International-Kenya’s Advocacy and Legal Advisory Centre in Mombasa conducted a Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB) training from 26th to 29th September 2011.

The meeting in Mombasa was attended by 30 participants, 12 of whom were from public service institutions. The  main objective of the training was to  create awareness as well as strengthen participants’ understanding of gender responsive budgeting and budget making processes at both the local and national levels.

The training focused on the key GRB concepts; the budget making process in Kenya; GRB initiatives and implementation in Kenya; GRB tools; gender budget analysis; budget planning and programming; and linking GRB with programme based budgeting, budget monitoring and reporting.

Participants were given an opportunity to draw a plan of action on how they will utilise the knowledge gained and disseminate the information in their institutions focusing on food assistance challenges in West Pokot Humanitarian Aid programme conducted a focus group discussion aimed at discussing challenges in food aid in West Pokot on 4th October 2011.

Present at the meeting were the  Regional Provincial Commissioner for North Rift Mr. Wanyanga, the Central Pokot, West Pokot and South Pokot District Commissioners, Pokot Council of Elders in Kapenguria, aid agencies implementing programmes in the area amongst others.

Issues raised included insufficient food supplies to and dependency on relief aid. The meeting agreed that the Government needs to offer long-term solutions to perennial food shortages and famine by benefits and other methods of farming apart from pastoralism.

The TI -Kenya team also facilitated a meeting with the community members of Kabich Bich and Kong’elai Divisions on 4th and 6th October 2011 to introduce the methodology and survey questions of the Food Assistance Integrity Study (FAIS) that TI-Kenya intends to conduct.

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Kenyans should not bear the cost of corruption

TI-Kenya strongly condemns the government for its apparent unwillingness to thoroughly investigate, in a timely manner, corruption scandals that continue to dog the public arena and its lack of single-mindedness in the pursuit of stolen public resources and prosecutions. We are dismayed that despite a lot of rhetoric and political bickering over corruption, there have not been sufficient answers provided for scandals that have continued to emerge. The frequency with which resources for projects aimed at lifting the majority of Kenyans from poverty are being misused or stolen casts doubt on the ability of the state to protect the public interest and achieve its economic development plans.

A few examples will suffice:-

1. The World Bank Group Integrity Vice Presidency released a forensic audit of the Arid Lands Resource Management Project –Phase II in July this year. The findings were quite damning especially at a time when drought was ravaging the same areas the project was supposed to serve. Though done on a sample basis, the report indicated that in some aspects of the project over 80% of the expenditure was either ineligible or suspected of fraud. It was incumbent upon the government to hold those responsible to account. To date no one has been held to account to the best of our knowledge.

2. With regard to corruption in the education sector, it is clear there were far many actors than are now currently in court. Apart from prosecutions, there has been no effort to the best of our knowledge to recover the stolen money. Even more critical is a review of the integrity systems with a view to plugging gaps that facilitate loss of funds within the sector to prevent future similar loss of resources.

3. Politics should not be allowed to obscure the truth in the current corruption and misappropriation concerns on the Kazi kwa Vijana initiative. Investigations should be done impartially and all those found to have been involved in any crime prosecuted and what they have stolen recovered.

It is our considered view that corruption remains the greatest threat to our stability and prosperity as a nation. Unless our leadership addresses this matter decisively all other noble efforts to fight poverty, promote national cohesion and stability may come to naught.

Samuel Kimeu

Executive Director

Transparency International-Kenya

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Companies From Emerging Giants China And Russia Most Likely To Bribe Abroad

Bribing public officials when doing business abroad is a regular occurrence, according to a survey of 3,000 business executives from developed and developing countries.

Transparency International’s 2011 Bribe Payers Index, released today, ranks 28 leading international and regional exporting countries by the likelihood of their firms to bribe abroad. Companies from Russia and China, who invested US $120 billion overseas in 2010, are seen as most likely to pay bribes abroad. Companies from the Netherlands and Switzerland are seen as least likely to bribe (see Results). Read more...

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Good governance in climate finance critical in mitigating the impact of climate change in Kenya

Nairobi, Kenya, Monday 31st, October 2011: Transparency International-Kenya has today launched the Global Corruption Report: Climate Change  which highlights the major corruption and governance risks that societies face when implementing a comprehensive collective policy response to global warming.

"This report sets out practical guidelines to prevent corruption undermining climate change measures. Its recommendations come at a critical time as Kenya explores various strategies of adapting to the adverse effects of climate change,” said the Vice Chair of the TI-Kenya Board, Rachel Mbai.

Under global climate agreements, substantial new funding from governments and multilateral agencies will be made available to finance the mitigation of climate change, such as renewable energy projects like wind farms or solar power plants, and adaptation to it, such as the construction of irrigation systems and disaster-ready housing. Unfortunately, information on the amount of funding received or disbursed for climate change interventions and how this money has been spent is not in the public domain in Kenya and many countries of the world; making public participation and accountability in dealing with this adverse life-changing process virtually impossible. Read More...

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The East African bribery index (EABI 2011 launch - ‘Kenya records improvement’

Kenya has recorded an improved ranking in the East African Bribery Index falling from the third to the fourth position. Corruption prevalence improved marginally from 31.9% in 2010 to 28.8% in 2011. In 2009, Kenya was ranked first, ahead of Uganda and Tanzania, with a prevalence rate of 45%.  Burundi was maintained the first position with a corruption prevalence level of 37.9% up from 36.7% in 2010, while Uganda and Tanzania have been ranked second and third at 33.9% and 31.6% respectively, both up from 33% and 28.6% correspondingly in 2010. Rwanda is once again ranked fifth with a bribery prevalence of 5.1% down from 6.6% last year. Read More...

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TI-Kenya rouses Nairobi show-goers

TI-Kenya set up an exhibition stand at the Nairobi International Trade Fair that ran from Monday 26th September to Sunday 2nd October 2011. During this period, TI-Kenya Staff interacted with visitors to take a personal initiative and join in the fight against corruption. The activity was part of the ‘Time to Wake Up’ Transparency International pilot global campaign whose clarion call in Kenya is Amka! Masaa ni sasa (Wake up, the time is now).

Visitors to the stand wrote their reactions to the Amka! call on giant mounted posters and signed against their statements, and were able to view a short audio-visual clip with the same theme.

The visitors also received publications by TI-Kenya and more information on TI-Kenya’s work including the advisory support given by the Advocacy and Legal Advisory Centres (ALACs) in Mombasa, Nairobi and Eldoret.

Mount Kenya University crowned FOI debate champs

Mount Kenya University (MKU) beat four other university teams to clinch the inaugural Freedom of Information inter-universities’ debate challenge held at the MKU Towers on 24th September 2011. The debate was dedicated to the International Right to Know day which is commemorated on 28th September annually and was supported by the ‘Time to Wake Up’ pilot campaign by TI aimed at arousing civic action on corruption. The University of Nairobi Parklands Campus and the Kenyatta University School of Law, Parklands secured the second and third positions. Inoorero University and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology also competed in the debate co-organised by the Kenyan Section of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ-Kenya) and the students’ caucus of Jukwaa la Katiba. The participants presented submissions on key issues touching on access to information such as strategies to realise access to information as per Article 35 of the Constitution 2010 and the benefits of freedom of information in key processes and public service provision.

Elimu Yetu gave a special trophy for the team that gave convincing arguments on issues pertaining to access to information corruption and the education sector. The University of Nairobi emerged tops in this challenge, closely followed by MKU. The panel of judges based their assessment and scores on the practicality of the proposals in the presentations, extent to which the submissions were linked to the Constitution of Kenya 2010, eloquence and confidence of the contestants. Speaking at the event, the Freedom of Information ambassador and award winning artiste Juliani encouraged the students to take advantage of provisions under Article 35 to demand for better service provision from government and public officers.

Apart from the overall debate trophy, the winning team also received shopping vouchers and high-end assorted stationery. The goodies including airtime scratch-cards, shopping vouchers, stationery, and chocolates from TI-Kenya and ICJ, and cash prizes from Juliani were extended to members of the audience who answered on-the-spot questions on corruption and other governance issues. TI-Kenya and the other participating organisations are planning follow-up events with the students to enhance their participation in the access to information campaign.

Going yellow for the right to access public information
The Freedom of Information (FOI) network has launched the “yellow movement” to campaign for freedom of information in Kenya. The Freedom of Information Day on 28th September 2011 saw FOI advocates donning a yellow ribbon to demonstrate their support for the access to information campaign. The yellow ribbon is bound to become a fashion statement, so keep up with the trending fashion and pin it up.

Tracking progress in the water sector in Eldoret and Kisumu

The Transparency and Integrity in Service Delivery in Africa (TISDA) programme of TI-Kenya   conducted separate progress meetings with water institutions in Kisumu and Eldoret between August 23rd and 25th 2011. The TISDA team also conducted focus group discussions with members of the Kamkunji community in Eldoret and Migosi community in Kisumu, and administered questionnaires to both consumers and staff of the Eldoret Water Company (ELDOWAS), the Kisumu Water and Sewerage Company and Water Action Groups. The handling of complaints in Kisumu and Eldoret was thrown into the limelight as several consumers called for enhanced responsiveness and timely feedback from the water companies which in turn committed to improve their complaints handling system. They also welcomed TI-Kenya to conduct training targeting increased professionalism, efficiency and effectiveness in case management.
Notable progress in Kisumu

As a result of a previous meeting with stakeholders facilitated by TI-Kenya in Kisumu in April 2011, KIWASCO created an opportunity for middle-class consumers to get piped water connection through the ‘Water is Back Campaign’ which was launched in May 2011; the campaign will run up to May 2012. Residents unable to afford the connection fees were connected to water supply and would pay by instalments. Those living within 20 metres of the main-line received connection without having to buy or pay for materials and labour for water connection. During this campaign, KIWASCO worked with representatives from Migosi Neighborhood Association thus cultivating goodwill from the consumers. The number of connections has increased from 11,448 to 11,921 between May and July 2011.

Networking for political accountability
TI-Kenya and the African Centre for Open Governance (Africog) convened a one-day roundtable meeting under the banner of the Movement of Political Accountability (MOPA) on 28th September 2011. The meeting was attended by representatives of 15 grassroots organisations working in Nairobi.  MOPA is a grassroots’ network of groups and individuals that empowers  Kenyans to hold their political leadership accountable and seeks to challenge Kenya’s political order, and strengthen democracy. The groups strategized on the mobilisation of a national grassroots movement to constructively engage in the advocacy and monitoring of key governance and accountability issues in the run-up to the campaigns for the general elections anticipated in 2012. All the represented groups gave presentations on their organisational profiles, and potential areas of engagement during the 2012 general elections. TI-Kenya’s Governance and Policy Programme Officer Debra Gichio facilitated a session on the new election law, and its provisions on accountability and election-related offences.   Moving forward, the groups agreed to focus on the following:

• Training: Build the capacity of MOPA members in community and political mobilisation

• Elections law: Monitor, document and report election-related violations for instance hate speech,   incitement and abuse of public resources for campaigns

• Media: Combat negative ethnicity and reportage in the media particularly by vernacular FM stations through training, moderation and responsible journalism

• Gender: Offer technical support and capacity building to women leaders to promote their participation in the 2012 elections

• Networking: Strengthen, expand and streamline working relationships amongst the MOPA members

‘Kikulacho’ returns to Machakos and Muranga
Transparency International-Kenya (TI-Kenya) was in  Machakos and Muranga on 20th and 22nd September 2011 for the second forums on leadership and integrity. This followed initial forums held in the same areas in July 2011 where the TI-Kenya film ‘Kikulacho: The bite within’ was screened. In the second leg which attracted a number of previous participants, there were group discussions to deliberate key issues on elections and leadership presented in the film. The discussions largely dwelt on reforms implemented so far in the electoral process; other changes needed to ensure accountability in elections; how citizens can use elections to advance socio-economic change; and how Kenyans can elect suitable leaders that demonstrate the guiding principles of leadership as stated in chapter six of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010.

The participants also discussed strategies they can use to hold leaders accountable. To cap the forums, the participants came up with individual action points on the issues at hand. Stringent vetting of candidates ranked high as most participants resolved to get more information on individuals seeking their votes as well as question them on their past record and vision. Involvement in civic and voter education through churches, women groups, chiefs’ barazas, and other gatherings were also suggested by majority of the participants. The next round of forums within the next month will thus focus on mechanisms to realize the action points made.

‘Kikulacho’ on another tour

TI-Kenya through the Advocacy and Communications programme conducted a second round of public forums on leadership and integrity in Narok, Kericho, Kisii and Bungoma in August 2011. This followed initial forums held in the same areas in July where the TI-Kenya film ‘Kikulacho: The bite within’ was screened. In the second leg which attracted a number of previous participants, there were focused group discussions to deliberate key issues presented in the film. The discussions largely dwelt on: reforms implemented so far in the electoral process; other changes needed to ensure accountable elections; how can citizens use elections to advance socio-economic change; and how can Kenyans elect suitable leaders that demonstrate the guiding principles of leadership as stated in chapter six of the Constitution.

In the film, reknowned comedian Nyambane proudly states that: “I’m a human resource manager of Kenya, I employ the president, MPs or anyone, that’s who I am.”  The statement was used to drum home the message that leadership is a public trust and citizens are the real holders of the power that is delegated to individuals they elect, thus the leaders should bring them honour, respect and dignity. Thus the participants also discussed strategies they can use to hold leaders accountable. The highlight of the forums was the formulation of action points on how citizens will personally influence the election of responsible and accountable leadership, and how they will hold them to account. Formation of political accountability groups, through vetting of candidates; taking part in elections; advancing civic education through churches, women groups, chiefs’ barazas, and other gatherings to disseminate the information received were among individual points of action mooted. The next round of forums will thus focus on mechanisms to realise the action points made. The second leg forums in Muranga and Machakos will be held on 5th and 13th September 2011 respectively.

Motivating youth to claim their stake in East Africa’s leadership

TI-Kenya facilitated a session on ‘Youth Participation in Leadership, Governance and Influencing Policy in the light of the Millenium Development Goals’ at the East Africa Youth Conference held between 8th and 12th August 2011 in Nairobi. About 300 youth from the East African region participated in the forum. The TI-Kenya Advocacy and Communications Officer Sheila Masinde emphasised that youth have the best understanding of the realities of their own lives and as such have several ideas to offer policy makers. “The youth form a critical mass of the future leadership and constitute the most vital resources for national development, therefore they are the key to the much needed generational transformation needed to fashion good governance,” said Ms Masinde. The youth were given various mechanisms that they can use to influence the achievement of each of the millennium development goals. Involvement in youth organisations and movements; engagement with youth representatives in key institutions and processes, ; networking with government, NGOs, global and multilateral organisations; organised activism; online forums - social media and diligent vetting of aspiring leaders were identified as avenues the youth can use to participate in development and policy processes. Most importantly, the youth were encouraged to offer themselves for elective and appointive leadership positions that they qualify for.

Fostering peace through transparency and accountability practices

About 130 community leaders from four counties in the Rift Valley region gathered in Eldoret on 15th and 16th August 2011 for a training of joint community project monitoring and reporting teams organised by Mercy Corps. TI-Kenya was on hand to facilitate the opening session on ‘Enhancing Peace: Institutional and individual accountability/transparency in realising Kenya's Development Goals’ in Eldoret. The session largely facilitated by the TI-Kenya Advocacy and Communication officer Sheila Masinde highlighted how transparency and accountability practices promote peace, and how the opposite can destabilise the country as witnessed during the 2007 post election crisis. The participants were therefore urged to take up the following individual responsibilities to enhance transparency and accountability: jealously defend the Constitution; inculcate the national values articulated in Article 10 of the Constitution in their private and public lives; monitor the conduct of leaders and public institutions in line with the provisions of the Constitution, and mobilise public pressure for action on institutions and leaders that disregard the Constitution.

The training was part of Mercy Corps’ peace-building programme that aims to strengthen the ability of local, district, and provincial structures to address the causes of post-election violence and promote sustainable peace and reconciliation. Participants were drawn from communities that will benefit from Mercy Corps’ funded community consensus-building and economic development projects. TI-Kenya through the Advocacy and Legal Advisory Centre in Eldoret is exploring ways of engaging in the community monitoring initiatives.

Devolved system of government to open up new opportunities for youth

The devolved system of government as per the Constitution provides endless business opportunities for the youth of Kenya. Speaking at a commemoration forum for the International Youth Day held at Ufungamano in Nairobi, Juliet Mule, the TI-Kenya Advocacy and Legal Advisory Centre officer in Nairobi reminded the youth from various constituencies within Nairobi County what the Constitution has to offer them. “At least 15% of the total annual government revenue will be disbursed to county governments under the new dispensation. That roughly translates to at least Kshs 3 billion per county and most of this money will be spent in procurement and it is up to you to position yourself to benefit from that,” Ms Mule said.

Ms Mule also reminded the youth that provisions for independent candidates and special seats is good news for youth harbouring political ambitions. The forum was organised by the Youth Congress. TI-Kenya’s documentary ‘Kikulacho, The bite within’ was also screened at the event and it stimulated discussion during the plenary session.

Keeping the Garisssa taps flowing
TI-Kenya conducted a rapid assessment of the Garissa Water and Sewerage Company (GAWASCO) water supply system, financial and technical performance in July 2011. This followed an invitation by GAWASCO. TI-Kenya through the Transparency and Integrity in Service Delivery in Africa (TISDA) project team also showcased the need to strengthen systems and departments within the water utility companies to enhance transparency and accountability for efficiency and improved performance.

The team facilitated an exercise through which the participants isolated areas which need or are perceived to require strengthening or improvement where GAWASCO doubled up as a water service provider and a user. This was followed by group discussions to explore solutions. The participants were also guided through a process of collecting information both internally within their departments and externally from the consumers in a manner that will help extensively analyse the integrity of the GAWASCO system by presenting and simulating a user questionnaire. Several follow up actions were agreed upon, including capacity building for GAWASCO staff in customer care and the establishment of an improved complaints mechanism.

Transparency international's Interview with Teressa Omondi, Deputy Excecutive Director & Head of Programmes, TI Kenya

WHY DO YOU FIGHT CORRUPTION?
Corruption is a terrible disease. It increases poverty and makes the poor suffer, it opens up gaps in society that shouldn’t be there. It makes people miss out on services that they truly deserve and contribute to. And it brings out bad leaders and bad governance.

WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CORRUPTION CHALLENGES FACING KENYA?
Impunity is a huge challenge. It means that while we continue fighting corruption, corrupt officials stay in power and are merely shifted from one office to another. This merely duplicates corruption. If leaders aren’t held to account it defeats the purpose of police fighting corruption at lower levels and weakens the people’s faith in the Constitution of Kenya, its enabling legislations and established institutions. A culture of compliancy to corruption then develops within the citizenry.

Corruption in education is also a big problem, and affects the future of our nation. Education is the most important tool to enable younger generations to see integrity in leadership and translate this to their values. We bank on education to free us from poverty and to help sustainable development, but corruption brings about the opposite of this.