Young people have been urged to take the lead in fighting corruption instead of facing persecution for activism, as leaders called for their involvement in tackling graft.

The calls came as Kenya marked African Anti-Corruption Day, a day set aside to review efforts to curb graft across the continent.

Nominated Senator Crystal Asige noted that many young Kenyans already expose corruption online and agencies should formalise their role.

“Why not employ them in the fight against corruption? They are already doing a lot of the work for you online indirectly, you might as well pay them for it instead of persecuting them for it,” noted Asige.

She explained that children grow up surrounded by everyday injustices, learning that integrity is optional.

“If we do not break that cycle today, we bake it into tomorrow,” observed Asige.

She argued that anti-corruption efforts must respect citizens’ dignity.

“You cannot fight corruption by humiliating the people. You must centre them, because anti-corruption is not just a legal process, it is a human one,” added Asige.

Justice, Human Rights and Constitutional Affairs Principal Secretary Judith Pareno said the government has conducted public participation on the whistleblowers bill, the anti-corruption amendment bill and the public participation bill.

Pareno explained that the bills will be tabled in Parliament by September.

“We have brought an omnibus amendment to strengthen the legal framework for fighting corruption, including changes to the Evidence Act, Economic Rights Act, the Penal Code and the law on money laundering,” noted Pareno.

She added that agencies not using the e-government procurement system will be unable to transact as from July 1.

“This will reduce human contact in procurement processes that have fuelled corruption,” argued Pareno.

Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) Chairperson David Oginde observed that corruption investigations often face resistance from communities.

“Recently, citizens destroyed EACC vehicles when we went to investigate a corruption case because the suspect claimed they were being targeted politically,” explained Oginde.

He noted that many senior officials own hotels across the country that may be used for money laundering.

 “Corruption will not be won by the EACC alone. It will be won when we as citizens stand up and refuse to allow individuals to privatise resources meant for all of us,” argued Oginde.

Former Attorney General Githu Muigai observed that institutions play a critical role in ending graft.

“When institutions are weak, capturable and silent in the face of corruption, impunity becomes the norm. But when institutions are strong, independent, well-resourced and principled, they defend dignity and guide public trust,” explained Muigai.

EACC Secretary and Chief Executive Officer Abdi Mohamud said proposed amendments to the conflict of interest bill will strengthen asset declaration processes for public officers.

“We believe that if Parliament agrees with the president’s recommendations, we will have a strong law that will address conflict of interest and assist in investigating unexplained assets,” noted Mohamud.