The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) on Thursday flagged off a team of anti-corruption crusaders embarking on a 350-kilometre walk from Eldoret to Nairobi to raise public awareness on the fight against corruption.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, EACC Deputy Director of the Northrift Regional Office, Kuntai Ole Tingisha, said the volunteers will cover the distance on foot over an estimated 10 days, promoting integrity and zero tolerance to corruption among the public.
“Their clarion call is ‘Journey to Singapore, Zero Corruption.’ As EACC, our mandate is to combat corruption through prevention and enforcement, and we fully support initiatives that communicate this message to the public,” said Tingisha.
He added that the commission will monitor and support the team throughout the journey, with planned stopovers at the EACC regional office in Nakuru before they proceed to Nairobi, where they will be received at the commission’s headquarters. Tingisha urged members of the public to support the crusaders in any way possible as they pass through various towns, emphasizing that the fight against corruption is a shared responsibility.
Leading the team, Mark Kirwa, an anti-corruption crusader, said the walk is a voluntary initiative aimed at advocating for zero corruption in the country. “This is a footing challenge in advocating for zero corruption. For our country to achieve meaningful development, we must do away with corruption, impunity, and bribery,” said Kirwa.
He explained that the initiative seeks to reach Kenyans of all ages and that the fight against corruption should start at the grassroots level, instilling values of integrity in children from an early age. “Corruption begins small. Even when we unknowingly teach children to engage in bribery, it becomes a habit. Let us be ambassadors of integrity from the grassroots,” he said.
Kirwa noted that the team is self-funded and appealed to well-wishers to support the journey, adding that the crusaders will document their progress through social media platforms.
The EACC reiterated that combating corruption requires collective effort. While the commission plays a leading role, every Kenyan has a responsibility to uphold ethical conduct and integrity in daily life.
By Ekuwam Sylvester
