What is Transparency International?
Transparency International is a non governmental organization dedicated to increasing government accountability and curbing both international and national corruption. The TI movement has multiple concerns:
- Humanitarian, as corruption undermines and distorts development and leads to increasing levels of human rights abuse; democratic, as corruption undermines democracies and in particular the achievements of many developing countries and countries in transition;
- Ethical, as corruption undermines a society's integrity;
- and practical, as corruption distorts the operations of markets and deprives ordinary people of the benefits which should flow from them.
Transparency International Agenda.
Combating corruption sustainably is only possible with the involvement of all the stake holders which include the state, civil society and the private sector. Through TI’s National Chapters the movement brings together people of integrity in civil society, business and government to work as coalitions for systemic reforms. TI does not "name names" or attack individuals, but focuses on building systems that combat corruption. TI is playing an important role in raising public awareness and its Corruption Perceptions Index has triggered meaningful reform in many countries.
The Role Of National Chapters In The Movement.
Today, Transparency International is active as an international movement in more than 77 countries and in the international arena. The National Chapters are at the heart of the global anti corruption movement - they are actively designing national anti corruption strategies. They do this through an impressive range of activities - by lobbying their governments, by informing the media and bringing together people worried about corruption in their country.
National Chapters are financially and institutionally independent but observe the movement's guiding principles of non investigative work and independence from government, commercial and partisan political interests. They do their own fund-raising. Elected representatives of National Chapters have a key role in electing the Board of Directors which serves as the governing body of Transparency International.
Transparency International- Kenya’s Vision and Mission.
Vision Statement
Towards A transparent, just and accountable Kenyan society
Our mission
To support citizens and governance institutions effect transparency and accountability in public and business affairs through legal and policy frameworks, skills, knowledge and information
TI-Kenya's strategic priorities are:
- Transparent and accountable institutions of governance in Kenya
TI-Kenya will support citizens to monitor transparency in public service delivery, particularly in the area of public procurement and disposal of public assets. It will also support the capacity of key Parliamentary Committees, Kenya Anti Corruption Commission (KACC), Public Procurement Oversight Authority (PPOA) and other public oversight institutions to interpret and discharge their mandate in a way that is most beneficial to the common good.
- Effective policy and legal frameworks that promote accountability and transparency
TI-Kenya will continue to provide leadership in advocating for strong policy and legal frameworks that enhance transparency and accountability. We will prioritize in areas of policy and legal environment that promotes citizen access to information, particularly from public authorities; as well as monitor implementation of legislation and administrative decisions that have potential to ensure transparent public service delivery.
TI-Kenya will support domestication of and adherence to international and regional anti-corruption conventions like the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and the African Union (AU) Convention on Prevention and Combating Corruption. TI-Kenya will also advocate for inclusion of transparency and accountability as part of East Africa Community (EAC) agreements, treaties and strategies.
- Empowered citizens who proactively demand for transparency and good governance
TI-Kenya will work with partners to develop the capacity of citizens to demand and monitor transparency and accountability in governance process. TI-Kenya will particularly prioritize governance in the social sectors of water and sanitation, health and education. We will facilitate development of tools and mechanisms that will enhance citizens' systematic monitoring and reporting on public service delivery as a way of promoting integrity in these sectors.
TI-Kenya will support civil society and business sector partners that can help demonstrate the benefits of transparency in service delivery through integrating and implementing citizens' transparency monitoring models in all interactions of service delivery. Particular emphasis will be placed on working with actors in the corporate sector in Kenya to integrate integrity in their regulatory and corporate social responsibility policies and practices.
- Political participation and competition that is regulated, accountable and transparent
TI-Kenya will prioritize political accountability in public institutions responsible for regulating political processes as well as programmes that will contribute to the promotion of ethical values in citizens' engagement in political processes. A key priority to TI-Kenya will be reform of Kenya's entire electoral system to entrench transparency and accountability in order to insulate political processes from patronage and corruption networks.
Transparency International- Kenya Context.
Deservedly, Kenya has a poor reputation internationally where corruption is concerned and its ranking in Transparency International's annual Corruption Perceptions Indices is an indication of this. In 2008, Kenya was ranked at 147 out of the 180 of all the countries surveyed; while in Africa, Kenya was ranked at 32 out of 47 with a mean score of 2.1.
The lack of transparency in both public and private affairs has helped fuel corruption - one of the greatest challenges facing Kenya that undermines its fledgling democracy, human rights, economic well-being, growth and development, and national stability.
