KACC turns to prayer in graft war

Kenya’s anti-corruption watchdog is now seeking divine intervention in its war against the vice. The outfit is resorting to the Bible in its attempt to rid the country of graft.

So far, Kenya boasts anti-corruption suggestion boxes at the airport, a police corruption hotline, “corruption is evil” parking attendants and “corruption free zone” signs on university campuses.

Apparently these measures aren’t quite cutting and it’s time to go to the Word of God Himself.

The Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission on Wednesday released a Bible study guide called “Integrity: A weapon against corruption.”

The booklet was a collaborative effort of KACC, the Evangelical Association of Kenya (EAK) and the Fellowship of Christian Unions (Focus) and will mainly be targeted to students.

“The school remains a catchment area for those who will rid this country of corruption,” said KACC’s Dr Smokin Wanjala, acknowledging that many Kenyan adults may be too corrupt to change their ways.

Last month, a survey by graft watchdog Transparency International listed Kenya as the most corrupt nation in East Africa and its police force as the most corrupt on the continent.

“The medicine to the malady of graft is integrity, especially personal integrity,” said Dr Nelson Gitonga, chairman of Focus. “Prevention is better than cure.”

The Bible study guide encourages Christians to look into the Good Book for guidance when tempted by short cuts or kitu kidogo.

“You can make it to the top of your career without being corrupt and taking shortcuts,” said Dr Gitonga.

The graft watchdog has also been involved in training church leaders to guide their flocks away from corrupt practices.

“We found the Church in Kenya is actually very corrupt,” said EAK secretary Willy Mutiso. But Dr Wanjala added the Church has traditionally been “an example of good governance and integrity.”

This latest tactic, using religion to fight corruption, comes after the commission’s unsuccessful bid to be granted powers of prosecution in Kenya’s Constitution.

Failing to fight

Currently, the commission is responsible for investigating cases, which it forwards to the Attorney-General for prosecution.

In the past, it has accused the AG of failing to fight the vice by delaying prosecutions. However, its move to be allowed to prosecute crimes itself was stalled, with some saying the commission has yet to even prove its effectiveness in investigations.

Dr Wanjala said the commission has been reaching out to other faith-based groups to come up with similar projects.

Mr Adan Wachu, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims, said his organisation would co-operate.

“The Prophet clearly stated: ‘Whoever amongst us is involved in corruption or other means of defrauding individuals... is not one of us’,” Mr Wachu said. “That is a very strong statement.”

“Integrity: A weapon against corruption” will be available on the graft watchdog’s web site (www.kacc.go.ke) as well as through faith groups. Dr Wanjala encouraged Kenyans to pray for an end to graft.