Graft abetted by professionals – Koskei

Corruption is rampant in Kenya and behind every malpractice is a professional, Chief of Staff and Head of the Public Service Felix Koskei has acknowledged.

The country, he added, has become known around the world as corrupt and where fraud, waste and mismanagement reign.

“There is no honour or dignity in being known this way,” he said when he spoke to members of the Institute of Certified Secretaries (ICS), emphasising that this had been cited by ratings agencies.

“The reports by various rating agencies, whether local or international, are in the public domain and we all know how our country is rated,” he said when he presided at the 13th Champions of Governance Awards, organised by the ICS to honour exemplary practices.

The awards ceremony is also a platform where entities are encouraged to embrace integrity, transparency, and accountability as fundamental values that drive sustainable development.

This negative “and highly demoralising picture of a corrupt country”, Koskei said, prompted the government to renew efforts to end corruption in its ranks.

“This negative image erodes public confidence and denies the country the level of investments that would support sustainable development and service delivery to our citizens,” he stated.

Behind every collapsed building, in every poorly constructed bridge or road, every fraud and theft of public resources, Koskei stated, there is a professional who has either slept on the job or has been compromised in one way or another.

Critical partners

“Such individuals expose your profession to ridicule and mistrust. Weeding them out should not be an option!” he said, adding that in the fight against corruption and poor governance, the government has identified professional associations like the ICS as critical partners.

“We believe strongly that if these bodies can strictly enforce their codes of conduct and professional standards, the country can experience less of the devastating effects of corruption,” he said.

He challenged those honoured to see themselves as instrumental role models who, through determination, self-pride and respect for others, should continue to shine the torch as role models.

“ICS’s partnership with EACC stands out as a testament to the power of collaborations and partnership,” he said.

“I hope this will serve as an inspiration to others, as we collectively work together [in] the journey of strengthening our country’s governance culture and claiming our position as a proud member of the League of Nations.”

The Champions of Governance Awards started in 2010 and spotlight organisations that excel in upholding robust governance principles. They celebrate success in categories that span agriculture, finance and county governments.

The award programme acknowledges leaders who have gone above and beyond to innovate in their sectors, fostering resilience, ethical practices, and operational transparency, said ICS chairman Joshua Wambua.