The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has teamed up with journalists to assess how Kenya is battling corruption.
At a press club event organized by the Kenya Editors Guild (KEG), experts in anti-corruption and media professionals met to discuss crucial issues surrounding corruption.
The event, titled ‘The Fight Against Corruption in Kenya: Reality Versus Perceptions,’ featured talks from EACC CEO Twalib Mbarak and Chairperson Bishop David Oginde, who answered questions about corruption.
Charity Kagwi, who leads the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in East Africa, stressed the importance of journalism in fighting corruption.
She said, “The pen is mightier than the sword. What is your pen going to justify? How do you use your pen to stand up for the next generation in this fight against corruption?”
Kagwi encouraged the media to use their influence to inform the public and expose corruption.
Zubeidah Kananu, the President of KEG, highlighted the media’s significant role in the fight against corruption.
She praised investigative journalism for uncovering cases of embezzlement, bribery, and abuse of power, which keeps the public informed about the extent of corruption in Kenya.
Saying; “The media has emerged as a powerful weapon in our fight against this deeply entrenched problem.”
Kananu pointed out that by reporting on corruption, the media empowers ordinary Kenyans to demand transparency, accountability, and justice.
Ochieng Rapuro, a member of the Guild, emphasized that the media should address corruption comprehensively, both in big and small cases, as both can have serious consequences.
He also called for collaboration between EACC and the media to discuss corruption issues while following ethical guidelines and the law.
“Factual correctness is the holy grail we cannot break. Staying with the facts is a silver bullet against legal suits,” Rapuro emphasized.
Rapuro also encouraged EACC to work closely with the media to navigate challenges related to libel and defamation, recognizing the difficulties media organizations face when sued for information obtained from the commission.
The event provided a platform for media professionals and anti-corruption advocates to have an open discussion, highlighting the vital role of the media in holding those in power accountable and promoting transparency in Kenya’s fight against corruption.
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