While Kenya’s young people represent the nation’s future, nurturing integrity in this generation has become increasingly challenging. The prevalence of shortcuts, peer pressure, and society’s acceptance of unethical practices blurs the line between right and wrong. Traditional moral instructors – schools and families – struggle to teach ethics in an environment that often rewards dishonesty.

Corruption has infiltrated both public and private institutions, complicating efforts to instil honesty, accountability, and ethical decision-making in young people. Political scandals, corporate wrongdoing, and ethical breaches by public figures send mixed messages about integrity, despite constitutional provisions and anti-corruption bodies like the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

The new Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) emphasises values-based education, including integrity and responsibility. This approach could establish a stronger foundation, though implementation challenges exist. More comprehensive teacher training, family involvement, and practical applications will be necessary to ensure these values take root.

Integrity affects all aspects of life, from public resource management to leadership credibility and economic growth. Organisations including the EACC, Ministry of Education, faith-based groups, civil society, and youth organisations must collaborate through awareness campaigns, mentorship, and civic education.

A significant obstacle is the normalisation of corruption in daily life. Young Kenyans often see unethical behaviour rewarded while honesty goes unrecognised. In schools, exam cheating sometimes passes unchallenged, suggesting dishonesty leads to success. At home, parents focused on economic survival may themselves engage in unethical practices like bribery for jobs, confusing children’s understanding of integrity.

Social media, while a powerful learning tool, often exacerbates the problem. Influencers and public figures flaunt ill-gotten wealth without acknowledging ethical efforts behind genuine success. Young people may be tempted to pursue shortcuts instead of valuing hard work and honesty.

Schools play a crucial role through initiatives like EACC’s Integrity Clubs and the Integrity Readers Series, which educate students about honesty and accountability. These programmes provide platforms for ethical discussions, community service, and developing social responsibility. Incorporating civic education into curricula can equip students with knowledge about their rights and responsibilities. Peer mentorship programmes also help students guide each other in making ethical decisions.

While schools are important, families and communities form the foundation for character development. Parents must model integrity, discourage dishonesty, and discuss ethical choices openly. Religious institutions reinforce these values through youth programmes that counter negative social influences.

Showcasing young role models who succeed without compromising values effectively promotes integrity. Organisations like Youth Agenda, and Transparency International Kenya mentor young leaders in ethical governance. Youth-led transparency initiatives empower young people to take pride in integrity.

Creative expressions through public speaking, drama, poetry, and film contests allow youth to explore integrity concepts. Despite potential negative influences, social media can be harnessed for positive campaigns like #StopCorruptionKE. Technology tools like e-governance systems reduce opportunities for corruption.

Though corruption presents significant challenges, opportunities exist to nurture ethical leadership through education, family involvement, positive role models, technology, and transparent governance.

The writer is an officer with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC); the opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of the EACC