Kenya’s fight against corruption took a significant leap forward following the training of 500 County Anti-Corruption Civilian Oversight Committees (CACCOCs) countrywide.
The training aimed at empowering communities to monitor public resources and report irregularities.
The Committees, to be established in all 47 counties, are expected to serve as the frontline mechanism for community-level monitoring of public service delivery, early detection of corruption risks, and escalation of complaints to relevant agencies.
Their roll-out follows a two-day joint training and rehearsal workshop held at the Co-operative University, where members were equipped with foundational skills ahead of deployment.
Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service, Mr. Felix Koskei, who presided over the session, issued a strong call to Kenyans to reject the widespread culture of glorifying individuals who gain wealth through questionable means.
He said the normalisation of corruption, often reinforced through social acceptance and admiration of sudden wealth, has weakened the country’s collective moral fabric and contributed to rising inequality and weakening public institutions.
“Corruption has become normalised in our society, especially in rural communities, where individuals who suddenly acquire unexplained wealth are often celebrated instead of being questioned,” he said.
“This must stop. Citizens must begin holding each other accountable, starting at the household and village level. Ask where the money came from,” he added.
Mr. Koskei said the Committees would only succeed if citizens stop shielding corrupt individuals and instead speak openly against misconduct, noting that for far too long, communities have protected wrongdoers out of loyalty, fear, or the expectation of favours.
He stressed that corruption, whether grand or petty, continues to undermine the country’s development.
“Even the small bribes that many people consider harmless collectively deny the nation good roads, quality healthcare, electricity, bursaries, and other essential services, every time we look away, we participate in our own underdevelopment,” he said.
The Chief of Staff urged CACCOC members to return to their counties as disciplined, knowledgeable, and courageous ambassadors of integrity.
He reminded them that the training was not a symbolic exercise but a rigorous preparation for a serious national assignment that would require vigilance, resilience, and a firm grasp of the law.
Koskei encouraged them to master Kenya’s Anti-corruption Legal and Policy framework, apply practical tools such as social audits, maintain accurate records, and speak boldly in all public platforms: churches, mosques, chief’s barazas, teachers’ meetings, youth gatherings, and community dialogues.
“Do not be intimidated, do not accept bribes, and do not be influenced by anyone seeking to silence oversight,” he warned.
Mr. Koskei reaffirmed the government’s ongoing institutional reforms, which include the digitisation of services across ministries and counties, strengthening of financial controls, roll-out of e-Procurement Systems, and expansion of public participation in budgeting.
He said these measures aim to close loopholes that allow corruption to thrive, adding that removing corrupt individuals from public service would release significant resources currently lost to theft, inefficiency and mismanagement, thereby enabling government to improve service delivery and accelerate development.
Principal Secretary (PS) for Justice, Human Rights and Constitutional Affairs, Judith Pareno, said the establishment of CACCOCs reflects the government’s intention to strengthen community-driven approaches to fighting corruption.
She explained that the committees include representatives from the National Youth Council, persons with disabilities, religious institutions, women’s groups, community-based organisations, and other grassroots structures to ensure inclusive representation.
“The CACCOCs reflect the face of Kenya; they bring together different groups to form a united, community-rooted front against corruption,” she said.
PS Pareno revealed that eight out of the 19 core functions of her office relate directly to combating corruption, a fact that highlights the weight of responsibility placed on the State Department.
She said the National Anti-Corruption Campaign Steering Committee (NACCSC), which is supporting the initiative, has historically had untapped potential, and that the rollout of CACCOCs provides an opportunity to strengthen citizen involvement.
She noted that the committees will be trained in social audits, public budgeting processes, community engagement, project monitoring, and red-flag identification to help them effectively track public resources and detect corruption risks early.
She emphasised the importance of building strong technical capacity and deepening understanding of Kenya’s legal and institutional frameworks.
PS Pareno said the committees will be responsible for monitoring public service delivery, reporting irregularities, conducting civic education, supporting preventive anti-corruption efforts, and maintaining professionalism and neutrality.
She assured them that the government is committed to supporting their work and strengthening collaboration with county governments, oversight agencies, civil society, and development partners.
Pareno urged the members to carry out their duties with “courage, integrity, and dedication”, saying Kenya urgently needs credible community-based integrity champions who can influence local behaviour and shape national values.
She expressed optimism that if CACCOCs perform their roles effectively, corruption will become unattractive and costly, while integrity becomes a preferred pathway.
During the event, a statement issued by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) reiterated the Organisation’s support for the initiative, describing the launch as a significant milestone in promoting transparency and accountability in Kenya.
GIZ outlined its contribution to the preparatory work, including training for the first set of committees, and reaffirmed that the initiative aligns with the GIZ Good Governance Programme co-funded by the European Union.
The Organisation highlighted tangible progress made under the programme, such as the recovery of Sh7.6 billion in stolen public assets and a 50 per cent increase in citizens using the Complaints Management Information System.
GIZ committed to providing further capacity-building support beginning in January, particularly in 15 partner counties.
Development partners, including GIZ, UK International Development, and Elgia were present and pledged continued collaboration with the Office of the Attorney General and the State Department for Justice, Human Rights and Constitutional Affairs in advancing national anti-corruption efforts.
By Naif Rashid
