Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) chairperson David Oginde has raised fresh concerns over the country’s growing acceptance of corruption, warning that Kenyans are increasingly celebrating those whose wealth cannot be explained.

Speaking during a morning radio talk show on Friday, August 8, 2025, Oginde painted a grim picture of a society that has normalised graft to the point where it is no longer viewed as shameful.

“I have seen individuals who go out there and take that which doesn’t belong to them. We have reached a point as a nation where corruption has become almost normalised. It has become a normal thing. Even as ordinary citizens, we seem to celebrate the corrupt and people whose wealth they can not explain to us how and where they got,” Oginde said

The anti-graft boss warned that such attitudes undermine the fight against corruption, noting that when society rewards ill-got wealth with praise, influence, and respect, it sends the wrong message to future generations.

He added that the normalisation of corruption is not only entrenched in politics but has also seeped into everyday life, where the public often overlooks questionable dealings if the individuals involved appear successful.

Oginde’s remarks come at a time when Kenya continues to grapple with high-profile corruption scandals and growing public frustration over the lack of accountability.

The EACC chair urged Kenyans to rethink their value systems and stop glorifying individuals who amass wealth without transparency. He stressed that tackling corruption requires collective will, where both leaders and citizens reject unethical practices and demand integrity from all public servants and private actors.

His warning aligns with recent reports showing that public trust in institutions remains low, with corruption ranked among the top concerns for most Kenyans.

Oginde maintained that unless the culture of celebrating the corrupt changes, the war on graft will remain an uphill battle.

“Corruption thrives when society refuses to hold wrongdoers accountable and instead treats them as role models,” he cautioned.

The EACC continues to urge the public to report corruption, assuring whistleblowers of protection and reaffirming its unwavering commitment to delivering justice.